What is an alternative reperfusion option that may be used in PE?

What is an alternative reperfusion option that may be used in PE?

• A. Radiation therapy
• B. Coronary stenting
• C. Embolectomy or transvenous catheter embolectomy
• D. Pulmonary rehab

Answer: (C)

Reperfusion therapy for pulmonary embolism aims to rapidly restore blood flow in the blocked pulmonary arteries. When systemic thrombolysis isn’t an option or isn’t feasible, removing or diverting the clot directly through surgical embolectomy or catheter-directed (transvenous) embolectomy provides an alternative way to reclaim perfusion. This approach can be life-saving in massive PE with instability or when thrombolytics are contraindicated. Radiation therapy would not address a clot, coronary stenting targets the heart’s arteries rather than pulmonary vessels, and pulmonary rehab helps recovery but does not reperfuse the lung.

Reperfusion therapy for pulmonary embolism aims to rapidly restore blood flow in the blocked pulmonary arteries. When systemic thrombolysis isn’t an option or isn’t feasible, removing or diverting the clot directly through surgical embolectomy or catheter-directed (transvenous) embolectomy provides an alternative way to reclaim perfusion. This approach can be life-saving in massive PE with instability or when thrombolytics are contraindicated. Radiation therapy would not address a clot, coronary stenting targets the heart’s arteries rather than pulmonary vessels, and pulmonary rehab helps recovery but does not reperfuse the lung.