Controversies in massive pulmonary embolism

Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with high mortality. There is still a broad assortment of severity classifications for patients with PE, which affects the choice of therapies to use. The main clinical criteria for defining a PE as massive is systemic arterial hypotension, which depends on the extent of vascular obstruction and the previous cardiopulmonary status. Right ventricular dysfunction is an important pathogenic element to define the severity of patients and short term clinical prognosis. The recommended treatment is systemic thrombolysis, but in centers with experience and resources, radiological invasive therapies through catheters are useful alternatives that can be used as first choice tools in certain cases.