Use of large bore devices in the treatment of pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality in the United States. Even in those patients who get treatment in the acute phase, they are at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, recurrent PE, which can lead to functional impairment and decreased survival. Interventional therapies for PE are reserved for unstable patients with high-risk PE or stable patients at high risk for decompensation. Several large-bore devices are currently approved for the treatment of PE and can provide expeditious thrombus removal without the need for lytic agents. Here, we review some of the large-bore catheter devices available for the treatment of acute PE.