Embolectomy

Embolectomy is an emergency procedure often as the last resort because permanent occlusion of a significant blood flow to an organ leads to necrosis.

[1] Surgical or catheter embolectomy is a procedure performed in patients with pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of an artery in the lung caused by a blood clot.

This procedure is typically used for patients who are in a critical condition, such as those who are experiencing persisting shock despite receiving supportive care, and who have an absolute contraindication for thrombolytic therapy.

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into the affected artery, and the clot is removed using a variety of techniques such as mechanical fragmentation or suction.

[8] It is a rapid and effective way of removing thrombi in thromboembolic occlusions of the limb arteries below the inguinal ligament,[8] as in leg infarction.