Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cardiovascular cause of death after heart attacks and stroke. PE is caused by blood clots in the pulmonary arteries. These are often caused by clots from the venous system, including thrombus from trauma, surgery or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Treatment has traditionally been systemic use of thrombolytic drugs to dissolve the clot. But in cases there is a massive, life-threatening PE, or chronic clot burden that have remained in a vessel for an extended period of time, mechanical thrombectomy and ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (USCDT) is being used as more targeted and aggressive treatments.

First ACC/AHA acute pulmonary embolism guidelines include new categories for risk stratification
The new guidance, the first of its kind, focuses on the importance of making a prompt diagnosis and providing care as quickly as possible. While some PE patients with mild cases can be discharged early, others may require an immediate catheter-based intervention or surgery.
New initiative to fund pulmonary embolism research
Grants from $50,000 to $750,000 will be awarded to pay for physician-led studies focused on PE care.
Boston Scientific to acquire Penumbra for $14.5B
This is a cash and stock transaction that values Penumbra at $374 per share. The move helps Boston Scientific expand its vascular and neurovascular portfolios, gaining new treatments for pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and many other critical cardiovascular conditions.
New Medtronic thrombectomy system used commercially for first time
The new device uses an advanced algorithm to regulate aspiration and conserve blood. Ajit Rao, MD, a vascular surgeon with The Mount Sinai Hospital, performed the historic procedure.
IVC filter recalled due to injury risk
Customers are urged to stop using these devices right away.

First ACC/AHA acute pulmonary embolism guidelines include new categories for risk stratification

The new guidance, the first of its kind, focuses on the importance of making a prompt diagnosis and providing care as quickly as possible. While some PE patients with mild cases can be discharged early, others may require an immediate catheter-based intervention or surgery.

Example of spectral, or dual-energy CT, confirming a pulmonary embolism (PE). Image courtesy of Philips Healthcare

New initiative to fund pulmonary embolism research

Grants from $50,000 to $750,000 will be awarded to pay for physician-led studies focused on PE care.

Boston Scientific to acquire Penumbra for $14.5B

This is a cash and stock transaction that values Penumbra at $374 per share. The move helps Boston Scientific expand its vascular and neurovascular portfolios, gaining new treatments for pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and many other critical cardiovascular conditions.

The Medtronic Liberant thrombectomy system.

New Medtronic thrombectomy system used commercially for first time

The new device uses an advanced algorithm to regulate aspiration and conserve blood. Ajit Rao, MD, a vascular surgeon with The Mount Sinai Hospital, performed the historic procedure.

Argon Medical Devices Option Elite IVC filter

IVC filter recalled due to injury risk

Customers are urged to stop using these devices right away.

Sahil Parikh, MD, director of endovascular services, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, associate professor of medicine at Columbia University, and a program director for the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting, explains the growing focus in interventional cardiology on endovascular procedures for stroke, pulmonary embolism, peripheral artery disease and renal denervation.

Interventional cardiology showing more interest in endovascular procedures

Sahil Parikh, MD, said it was clear at TCT 2025 that the specialty is getting more and more involved with endovascular procedures for stroke, pulmonary embolism and peripheral artery disease.

Video Robert Lookstein on mechanical thrombectomy beating anticoagulation alone in pulmonary embolism in the late-breaking STORM-PE trial at TCT 2025.

Mechanical thrombectomy beats anticoagulation alone in STORM-PE

Highly anticipated trial data comparing mechanical thrombectomy to anticoagulation alone for intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism showed that the more aggressive strategy improved outcomes.

The Penumbra thrombectomy pulmonary embolism clots extraction catheter displayed at TCT 2025. Photo by Dave Fornell

Pulmonary embolism thrombectomy use increases by more than 700%

Medicare claims submitted between 2017 and 2022 showed a 712% increase in thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism (PE) and a 137% increase in thrombectomy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).