Short-term outcomes of ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in management of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism

Both USAT and MT provide excellent short-term and intermediate outcomes in patients with intermediate-risk PE, similar survival rates, similar post-treatment change in right heart dysfunction, and comparable ICU and hospital stays. MT is associated with higher transfusion rates, so caution should be exercised in patients felt to be at risk from further blood loss. These findings support individualized, anatomy- and risk-based selection of catheter-based therapy within a multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response framework.