[Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy for Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism Using a Surgical Endoscope;Report of a Case].

Despite advances in medical and surgical therapeutic techniques, acute massive pulmonary embolism has a high mortality rate. Complete clot extraction without arterial wall injury is essential to save critically ill patients. Herein, we present a case of a 72-year-old woman who was treated by surgical pulmonary embolectomy using a surgical fiberscope. The patient was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of dyspnea. Computed tomography demonstrated a massive pulmonary embolism, and echocardiography revealed a floating thrombus in the right atrium and severe right heart failure. As she suffered from circulatory collapse, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support was immediately introduced and emergency surgical embolectomy was performed. Surgery was performed under circulatory arrest, and complete clot extraction was achieved using a surgical endoscope. The patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital on day 48, with good health.