A new standard of care has arrived in Alberta with the introduction of non-surgical pulmonary thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes life-threatening blood clots from the lungs.
Using fluoroscopy imaging, a catheter is guided through a vein and into the heart, where it is directed to the lungs, allowing clots to be safely extracted. This advanced technique offers a faster, safer alternative to open-heart surgery or clot-dissolving medications, especially for patients at high risk.
First piloted in March 2024 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the University of Alberta Hospital, the procedure is now being regularly performed at those sites, covering the entire Edmonton Zone.
This cutting-edge approach restores blood flow quickly with minimal recovery time, making it a breakthrough option for patients who are not candidates for conventional treatments.
MIC Medical Imaging is proud to support this advancement through the expertise of our radiologist partner, Dr. Kiran Reddy, who is part of the skilled, multidisciplinary Interventional Radiology team delivering this life-saving care.
“For post-operative patients where medication is not an option, immediate removal of the clots is essential to saving the patient,” said Dr. Kiran Reddy.
Watch Dr. Reddy explain the procedure and hear from 58-year-old David Batke, whose life was changed by it in this CTV News feature: