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Thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism using the superficial veins of the upper extremity
Author(s) -
Kusick Joseph,
Salamat Judd,
Sanghvi Kintur
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
catheterization and cardiovascular interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1522-726X
pISSN - 1522-1946
DOI - 10.1002/ccd.27193
Subject(s) - medicine , basilic vein , thrombolysis , supine position , cephalic vein , pulmonary embolism , pulmonary artery , catheter , right pulmonary artery , cardiology , surgery , vein , myocardial infarction
This report describes a novel approach of accessing the superficial veins of the upper extremity for the treatment of pulmonary emboli (PE) with an ultrasound enhanced thrombolytic infusion catheter. In a patient suffering from saddle PE and impending right heart failure, separate basilic and cephalic venous access sites in the right arm were utilized to insert EKOS EndoWave Infusion Catheter (EKOS Corporation, Bothell, WA) insertion in each pulmonary artery (PA). This technique could be advantageous, particularly for patients at high risk for access site complications and those unable to lie supine for prolonged duration of infusion therapy.