Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Pulmonary Embolism: Insights from the National Readmission Database

Abstract Introduction Catheter-based therapies for pulmonary embolism (PE), including endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) are increasingly being used in clinical practice. However, real-world comparative data between these two modalities are scarce. We aimed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of MT and CDT in patients with PE. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized the 2021 National Readmission Database (NRD) to identify adults with a primary diagnosis of PE who underwent either MT or CDT. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included major bleeding, cardiac arrest, vascular complications, and post-discharge readmissions. Propensity-score matching was applied, followed by logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on hospital procedural volume. Results After propensity-score matching, 7,376 patients who underwent MT and 7,355 who underwent CDT were included. MT was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (4.4% vs. 3.4%; OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.68; p=0.04) and major bleeding (6.3% vs. 3.6%; OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.39-2.32; p0.001) compared to CDT. No significant differences were observed in post-discharge mortality, although all-cause readmissions were higher in the MT group. Higher hospital procedural volume was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and lower major bleeding rates in both MT and CDT. Conclusions Endovascular CDT was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and major bleeding compared to MT in PE. As hospital procedural volume increased, both these outcomes improved, with reduced difference between MT and CDT.