Longer-Term Outcomes Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Intermediate- and High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: 6-Month FLASH Registry Results

Abstract

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy provides rapid hemodynamic improvements after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), but long-term benefits are uncertain. Methods: FlowTriever All-comer Registry for Patient Safety and Hemodynamics is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter registry of patients with acute PE treated with the FlowTriever System (Inari Medical). Six-month outcomes including modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scores (MMRCD), right ventricular (RV) function, 6-minute walk test distances, and PE quality-of-life scores (QoL) were assessed. Results: In total, 799 patients were enrolled and 75% completed the study with a mean follow-up of 204 ± 46 days. Demographic characteristics included 54.1% men, mean age of 61.2 years, 77.1% intermediate-high-risk PE, and 8.0% high-risk PE. All-cause mortality was 4.6% at study completion. The proportion of patients with normal echocardiographic RV function increased from 15.1% at baseline to 95.1% at 6 months (P