Emergent Z stent placement for treatment of cor pulmonale due to pulmonary emboli after failed lytic treatment: technical considerations.

A patient with a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis of a lower extremity developed hypotension and cor pulmonale despite prior placement of an inferior vena caval filter and treatment with a thrombolytic agent. After failure of percutaneous guidewire fragmentation and thrombosuction, self-expandable bilateral Z stents were positioned into the lower branches through the pulmonary arterial trunks. The patient experienced immediate relief of her cor pulmonale and successful recovery from hypotension.