Acute massive pulmonary artery embolism after pulmonary resection is very rare, but has a high mortality rate. This is one of the most severe complications after pulmonary resection. Acute pulmonary artery embolism developed suddenly in a patient who underwent lobectomy and was recovering without complications. Because the patient's condition was aggravated after conservative treatment, we did emergency open embolectomy which was successful. Hence, we report this case with a literature review.
Embolectomy ; Embolism ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery

It is ironic that John Gibbon's interest in the development of CPB was stimulated by his experience with a fatal case of pulmonary embolism. Massive pulmonary embolism is a siginificant cause of death in hospital, despite improvement in patient management in recent years. In Korea, none of the reports was detailed the anesthetic management of this group of physiologically compromised patients. So we describe an approach to the anesthetic management of a patients with chronic embolic occlusion of the pulmonary artery, who underwent successful pulmonary embolectomy.
Cause of Death ; Embolectomy* ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism

The optimal treatment for free-floating massive right heart thrombi remains uncertain. However, they appear to increase the risk of mortality compared to the existence of a solitary pulmonary thromboembolism. Thrombolytic therapy has been shown to be effective in most patients, resulting in complete resolution of the massive thrombus and clinical improvement. We report the echocardiographic disappearance of a free-floating right heart thrombus after thrombolysis, however, the thrombus migrated and resulted in pulmonary thromboembolism. It was successfully removed with surgery.
Embolectomy ; Heart ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Thrombosis

An acute thromboembolism of the peripheral artery is a common complication in patient with inappropriately treated atrial fibrillation. A case of successful recanalization of a thromboembolic occlusion of the left common femoral artery, using the PercuSurge GuardWire(TM) System, with a 7 Fr. guiding catheter, was experienced in a patient with atrial fibrillation.
Arteries ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Catheters* ; Embolectomy ; Femoral Artery* ; Humans ; Thromboembolism

A 76-year-old woman with hypertension was admitted to the hospital with complaints of chest pain and dyspnea. An echocardiogram and pulmonary computed tomography angiography showed right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary thromboembolism. An operation to resect the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism was recommended; however, the patient refused and was discharged with anticoagulation therapy. Two years later, she developed dyspnea. Radiological studies and echocardiography showed similar results with the previous findings. The patient underwent mediastinotomy with resection of the right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolectomy. As there are few reports on right atrial myxoma complicated with pulmonary embolism, we report a successful case of surgical removal of right atrial myxoma and pulmonary embolism.
Angiography ; Chest Pain ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Embolectomy ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myxoma ; Pulmonary Embolism

We successfully managed one-lung ventilation in a 5-yr-old boy who underwent thoracoscopic removal of an emphysematosed right lower lobe. We used a 5-French 70 cm balloon-tipped Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker. Its single lumen, which ends blindly, contains a guidewire and is used to inflate a spherical balloon. First, we threaded the distal end of the blocker through the Murphy hole of a 5.5 cuffed endotracheal tube. The tip of the blocker was adjusted to the end of the endotracheal tube, and the remainder of the blocker was attached closely to the outer wall of the tube and fixed once at the neck of the tube with tape. The tube and catheter were intubated as a set. After intubation, a bronchoscope was introduced through the tube. Under bronchoscopic view, Fogarty catheter was drawn back by 1 2 cm to withdraw the catheter tip from the Murphy hole and then advanced until the balloon tip reached the right main bronchus. With balloon inflation, we were able to achieve satisfactory one-lung ventilation.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopes ; Catheters ; Embolectomy ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Intubation ; Male ; Neck ; One-Lung Ventilation*

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a perioperative complication that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to minimize mortality. Detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) suggests the presence of PTE. The clinical presentation of PTE is mainly hemodynamic and gas exchange abnormalities. Diagnostic tools include ventilation/perfusion scan, pulmonary angiography, spiral CT, and echocardiography. Therapeutic options include hemodynamic support with inotropics, anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy and an inferior vena cava filter. DVT prophylaxis should be considered in all operative patients with high risk. Anesthesiologists should consider the appropriate anticoagulant management before and after surgery to optimize anesthetic choices.
Angiography ; Echocardiography ; Embolectomy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Vena Cava Filters ; Venous Thrombosis

We experienced one lung anesthesia using Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker in an infant undergoing thoracotomy for foreign body removal. For the guidance of catheter placement in left mainstem bronchus, C-arm fluoroscopy was used. Size of catheter and its balloon was decided beforehand by measuring the diameter and length of bronchus based on the view obtained from computerized tomography. There was no accidental episode during anesthesia. C-arm fluoroscopy is safe and useful method to decide the position of Fogarty occlusion catheter in an infant.
Anesthesia ; Bronchi ; Catheters ; Embolectomy ; Fluoroscopy ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Thoracotomy

Pulmonary embolism, one of leading causes of maternal death, is a common but elusive disease that can result in suffering and death if not recognized and treated effectively. We have experienced a case of fatal pulmonary embolism, which was diagnosed by echocardiography and chest spiral CT on the postoperative 2nd day after cesarean delivery and was managed successfully with pulmonary embolectomy, wedge resection of Rt. lower lobe in lung and then heparin therapy. We present this case with a brief review of literatures.
Echocardiography ; Embolectomy ; Heparin ; Lung ; Maternal Death ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thorax ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Here, percutaneous spinal cord injury (SCI) methods using a balloon catheter in adult rats are described. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space through the lumbosacral junction and then inflated between T9-T10 for 10min under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals were divided into three groups with respect to inflation volume: 20 microL (n = 18), 50 microL (n = 18) and control (Fogarty catheter inserted but not inflated; n = 10). Neurological assessments were then made based on BBB score, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology. Both inflation volumes produced complete paralysis. Gradual recovery of motor function occurred when 20 microL was used, but not after 50 microL was applied. In the 50 microL group, all gray and white matter was lost from the center of the lesion. In addition, supramaximal damage was noted, which likely prevented spontaneous recovery. This percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model is simple, rapid with high reproducibility and the potential to serve as a useful tool for investigation of pathophysiology and possible protective treatments of SCI in vivo.
Animals ; Balloon Embolectomy/*methods ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Compression/*therapy