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    Description

    A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in an artery in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot (embolus) that travels to the lungs from deep veins in the leg. A 'massive' pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition, caused by a large clot in a major pulmonary artery. In this procedure a catheter (thin tube) is inserted into a large vein through the skin (percutaneous), usually in the groin. It is guided through the heart to the clot and used to remove it (thrombectomy). The aim is to rapidly remove the blockage, restore blood flow to reduce strain on the heart and avoid the bleeding risks of thrombolysis.