Background: Intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with a significant risk of death or hemodynamic deterioration. The optimal treatment strategy should balance efficacy in reducing thrombus burden and hemodynamic compromise with risk of complications, in particular bleeding. Previous studies have investigated conventional high-dose, short term thrombolysis by recombinant tissue Plasminogen Activator (rtPA), finding a reduction in risk hemodynamic deterioration, but not in mortality, and a substantial increase in significant bleeding complications.
Percutaneous catheter-based techniques of embolectomy or low dose thrombolysis may offer lower risk of complication while still being efficacious. A clinical equipoise remains as data from RCTs of reasonable size remain to be published.
The current trial addresses this paucity of data by randomizing patients to one of three treatment modalities:
Design: Regional collaborative, randomized trial with 1:1:1 allocation of 210 patients with acute intermediate-high risk PE and no absolute contraindications to thrombolysis Intervention: 1:1:1 randomization (stratified for index hospital) to
• Percutaneous Embolectomy plus unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) within 12 hours of randomization.
• Low dose thrombolysis (10mg of rtPA, Alteplase) over 6 hours plus UFH or lLMWH within 12 hours of randomization.
• UFH or LMWH only (with option for conventional thrombolysis according to local protocols for hemodynamic deterioration) Inclusion criteria: 1) Age ≥ 18 years, 2) Intermediate high-risk PE according to ESC criteria AND 3) Class II risk assessed by the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (1). 4) Thrombus visible in main, lobar or segmental pulmonary arteries on CT angiography 5) 14 days of symptoms or less, with significant worsening of symptoms within 7 days Exclusion criteria: 1) Glasgow Coma Scale Score \< 14, 2) qualifying CT angiography\> 24 hours prior to screening, 3) pregnancy, 4) Thrombolysis for PE within 14 days of randomization 5) Thrombus passing through patent Foramen Ovale, 6) Ongoing oral anticoagulation therapy (heparins, aspirin, antiplatelet therapy and NOAC allowed), 7) Comorbidity making 6 months survival unlikely. 8) Absolute contraindications for thrombolysis(2) Primary outcome: 2 Co-primary outcomes: Reduction in refined modified Miller Score (rmMS) on follow-up (48-96 h) CT pulmonary Angiography comparing catheter-based interventions to UFH/LMWH group (p\<0.01, N=210) and reduction in refined Miller Score on follow-up (48-96 h) CT pulmonary Angiography comparing percutaneous embolectomy to low-dose rtPA, p\<0.04, N=140). Secondary outcomes: 1) Bleeding complications (major and minor bleeding complication according the FRISC classification) 2) Duration of index admission, including hospital based rehabilitation. 3) Dyspnoea index (Visual analogue scale) after 48-96 h and after 3 months, 4) FiO2, Blood pressure, and respiratory rate, heart rate at time of follow-up CT angiography, 5) Mortality in the three groups (log-rank), and hazard ratios in multivariable analysis using the UFH/LMWH group as reference. 6) Incidence of TR gradient \> 40 mmHg at 3 months follow-up echocardiography. 10) 6MWD at 3 months comparing the three groups. 11) Quality of life at 3 months follow-up comparing the three groups (EQ-5Q-5L) Predefined design variables are sex, age above median, known renal failure GFR (\<30 ml/min or current renal replacement therapy), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 'saddle' embolus, syncope or CPR performed.
