Mechanical thrombectomy linked to lower mortality in intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism

by Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

Sadie Harley

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Andrew Zinin

Chief Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add to Preferred Sources

New research presented at TCT 2026 and simultaneously published in JSCAI found that, in the primary analysis, mechanical thrombectomy was associated with lower short- and long-term mortality among patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism compared with anticoagulation alone.

The study, "Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Anticoagulation Alone for Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," included 12 studies involving 4,268 patients. Of these, 1,878 (44%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy.

In the primary analysis, mechanical thrombectomy was associated with lower 30-day, 1-year and 2-year mortality, as well as a lower risk of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

In a sensitivity analysis limited to studies exclusively enrolling patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism, 30-day mortality was similar between the treatment groups. In contrast, the lower risk of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension remained statistically significant. The sensitivity analysis could not combine one- and two-year mortality because each outcome was reported by only one study.

"This analysis found encouraging associations between mechanical thrombectomy and lower short- and long-term mortality in patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism," said study author Mahmoud Ismayl, M.D., interventional cardiology fellow and assistant professor at The Mayo Clinic.

"However, most of the available evidence is observational, and the more focused sensitivity analysis did not show a significant difference in 30-day mortality. Larger randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine which patients are most likely to benefit."

More information

Mahmoud Ismayl et al., Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Anticoagulation Alone for Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jscai.2026.105753

Key medical concepts

Mechanical thrombectomyChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Clinical categories

CardiologyPulmonary medicine Provided by Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Mechanical thrombectomy linked to lower mortality in intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (2026, November 2) retrieved 2 November 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-mechanical-thrombectomy-linked-mortality-intermediate.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.