Surgical pulmonary embolectomy for submassive pulmonary embolism: a case report and review of the literature

We present an interesting case of recurrent syncope which was found to be submassive Pulmonary Embolism (PE) with right atrial thrombus. Patient underwent successful surgical pulmonary embolectomy with removal of right atrial thrombus. Follow-up computed tomography revealed bilateral patent pulmonary circulation with normal right ventricle function and pulmonary artery pressure on echocardiography. We also reviewed the literature for the patients operated for submassive pulmonary embolism and their results.