Indications

Surgical embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has become a rare procedure and is often viewed as a last resort. Thrombolytic therapy has become the treatment of choice.1
Surgical or catheter embolectomy is normally performed in patients with pulmonary embolism (formed from venous embolisms). Embolectomy is used for patients with persisting shock despite supportive care and who have an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy.2 And although other treatments have improved urgent surgical embolectomy or catheter embolectomy may be a life saving procedure in severe pulmonary embolism.3
Embolectomies are performed for arterial embolisms in acute limb ischemia. However there are also other options, such as catheter-directed thrombolysis and anticoagulation with observation.4
It can also be used for other ischemias due to embolism for example mesenteric ischemia and stroke.5