Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) is an advanced interventional
therapy for patients with intermediate-high-risk
pulmonary embolism (PE) who deteriorated on anticoagulation or for high-risk patients for whom systemic thrombolysis is contraindicated. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of this
therapy with a focus on the improvement of vital signs and laboratory parameters. Seventy-nine patients with intermediate-high-risk PE were treated with USAT from August 2020 to November 2022. The
therapy significantly decreased the mean RV/LV ratio from 1.2 ± 0.22 to 0.9 ± 0.2 (p < 0.001) as well as the mean PAPs from 48.6 ± 11 to 30.1 ± 9.0 mmHg (p < 0.001). The respiratory and heart rate decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Serum
creatinine decreased significantly from 1.0 ± 0.35 to 0.9 ± 0.3 (p < 0.001). There were 12 access-associated complications, which could be treated conservatively. One patient had haemothorax after the
therapy and had to be operated on. USAT is an effective
therapy for patients with intermediate-high-risk PE, with favourable hemodynamic, clinical, and laboratory outcomes.