Outcomes of Catheter-Directed Therapy Plus Anticoagulation Versus Anticoagulation Alone for Submassive and Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and death. PE has been described by the surgeon general as the most common preventable cause of death among hospitalized patients. Massive and submassive PE account for 5%-10% and 20%-25% of cases, respectively, and are associated with increased mortality.1-3 The International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry reported 90-day mortalities of up to 52.4% for massive pulmonary embolism and up to 19% for submassive pulmonary embolism.