menu

Pulmonary embolism treatment Perth

A newer way to treat serious blood clots in the lungs

A pulmonary embolism, often called a PE, happens when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow. It can be a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition, especially when the clot places strain on the heart or affects breathing.

Pulmonary thrombectomy Perth

What is pulmonary thrombectomy?

As a vascular surgeon in Perth, I see how frightening this can be for patients and their families. Sudden shortness of breath, chest discomfort, swelling in one leg, fainting, or feeling very unwell should never be ignored. If symptoms are sudden or severe, it is important to seek urgent medical care.

“At Royal Perth Hospital, our team has been involved in introducing a minimally invasive procedure called pulmonary thrombectomy for selected patients with serious pulmonary embolism. This is a keyhole technique that may help remove clot from the lung arteries without the need for major open surgery.”

Instead of opening the chest, the procedure is usually performed through a small entry point in the groin. A fine tube is passed through the blood vessels and guided towards the clot. Once the clot is reached, specialist equipment is used to remove it.

This type of treatment is not suitable for every person with a pulmonary embolism. Many blood clots are treated with blood thinning medication, and some people may need other forms of care. The right treatment depends on the size and position of the clot, the patient’s symptoms, the strain on the heart, bleeding risk, and overall health.

“When someone has a serious clot in the lungs, the first priority is to stabilise them and choose the safest treatment pathway for their situation. Pulmonary thrombectomy gives us another option for selected patients, particularly when we are worried about the pressure the clot is placing on the heart and lungs.”

Why this procedure matters

Traditional surgery for severe clot disease can be a major operation. Pulmonary thrombectomy is different because it uses a small entry point, commonly from the groin, to reach the clot through the blood vessels.

For suitable patients, this may reduce the physical stress of treatment when compared with major open surgery. It also allows the treating team to act directly on the clot while avoiding a large incision.

“Pulmonary embolism care often involves several specialists. This may include vascular surgeons, respiratory physicians, emergency physicians, intensive care specialists, cardiologists, radiologists, anaesthetists, nurses, and allied health staff.”

This team approach is important because serious clots can affect the lungs, heart, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and overall recovery.

Blood clot treatment in Western Australia

Featured in the Channel 7 report

This new pulmonary thrombectomy service was recently featured in a Channel 7 report, which shared the story of the first patient in Western Australia to have this procedure using special type of keyhole device (Inari). The report helped explain how this keyhole approach may support selected patients with serious pulmonary embolism.

“When a patient has a serious clot in the lungs, we look carefully at the whole picture. The aim is to choose the safest and most appropriate treatment for that person, not simply the newest treatment.”

A pulmonary embolism can be serious. Please seek urgent medical help if you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, coughing blood, or one swollen painful leg with breathing symptoms.

If you have already been treated for a clot, follow-up is important. Your doctor may review your medication, check your recovery, and discuss ways to reduce your risk of another clot.

It is important to remember that media stories can show one patient’s experience, but every person’s situation is different. Not everyone with a pulmonary embolism will need this type of procedure. Many people are treated safely with blood thinning medication and close monitoring.