[A case report of pulmonary embolectomy using an endoscope for the detection of residual emboli].

A 61-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital because of palpitation, tachypnea and repeated syncopal attack. On admission, sinus tachycardia and hypoxia were noted without deterioration of consciousness. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made by pulmonary angiography and right heart catheterization showing multiple pulmonary emboli and pulmonary hypertension. An emergent pulmonary embolectomy was performed under total cardiopulmonary bypass. Residual emboli of bilateral pulmonary arteries were detected with a fiberoptic choledochoscope and removed carefully with forceps. Pulmonary angioscopic evaluation appears to be safe and useful for direct visual detection of emboli and completion of embolectomy.