Successful treatment of massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy with catheter-directed embolectomy

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with approximately 10.5% of maternal deaths in the United States. Despite heightened awareness of its mortality potential, there is little data available to guide its management in pregnancy. We present the case of a massive PE during gestation successfully treated with catheter-directed embolectomy. A 37-year-old G2P1001 presented with a syncopal episode preceded by dyspnea and chest pain. Upon presentation, she was hypotensive, tachycardiac, and hypoxic. Imaging showed an occlusive bilateral PE, right heart strain, and a possible intrauterine pregnancy. Beta-hCG was positive. She was taken emergently for catheter-directed embolectomy. Her condition immediately improved afterwards. Post-procedure pelvic ultrasound confirmed a viable intrauterine pregnancy at 10 weeks gestation. She was discharged with therapeutic enoxaparin and gave birth to a healthy infant at 38 weeks gestation. Despite being the gold standard for PE treatment in non-pregnant adults, systemic thrombolysis is relatively contraindicated in pregnancy due to concern for maternal or fetal hemorrhage. Surgical or catheter-based thrombectomies are rarely recommended. Limited alternative options forces their consideration, particularly in a hemodynamically unstable patient. Catheter-directed embolectomy can possibly bypass such complications. Our case exemplifies the consideration of catheter-directed embolectomy as the initial treatment modality of a hemodynamically unstable gestational PE.