Surgical management of acute pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complex clinical entity affecting multiple organ systems with varying severity and for which numerous therapeutic options are available. Surgical embolectomy is one such treatment that is essential to any center providing comprehensive care to patients with PE. This review discusses the role of surgical embolectomy in contemporary PE management, approaches to surgical intervention, options for cardiopulmonary support, and outcomes compared to alternative treatment modalities. In the current multidisciplinary era, surgical management is best understood as a complementary tool to systemic and catheter-based interventions, with careful patient selection necessary to optimize outcomes.