Thrombolysis of Pulmonary Emboli via Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Injection

Abstract

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle injection (EBUS-TBNI) is a novel technique for treating peribronchial targets. The aim of this study was to evaluate preliminary feasibility of thrombolysis of pulmonary emboli via EBUS-TBNI.

Methods: Yorkshire pigs (30-48 kg) were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Pre-formed autologous clots were injected sequentially into bilateral lower pulmonary arteries in bilateral models (PE1 and PE2, respectively) or into 1 side in unilateral models using a 21-gauge EBUS-TBNA needle under EBUS guidance. In the bilateral model, 2 hours after clot injection either 25 mL of tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA; 1mg/mL) or distilled water were administered into each embolus via 25-gauge EBUS-TBNA needle. In the unilateral model, 25 mg t-PA was administered intravenously. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored continuously, and clot dissolved volume was evaluated by EBUS 30 minutes post-treatment administration.

Results: All clots (6.1 ± 1.7 mL) were successfully injected as documented by EBUS Doppler imaging. Clot injection in the bilateral model (n = 6) increased pulmonary arterial pressure (mm Hg: Baseline 19.2 ± 5.9 vs PE1: 26.7 ± 9.1, P = .005 vs PE2 29.9 ± 7.1, P = .0007). After t-PA TBNI in the bilateral model (n = 6), pulmonary arterial pressure at 30 minutes post-injection showed improvement (mm Hg: PE2 29.9 ± 7.1 vs post-t-PA 24.4 ± 3.9, P = .0283). Treatment with t-PA TBNI demonstrated superior clot dissolution at 30 minutes post-treatment (dissolved mm³: t-PA TBNI 625.4 ± 156.6 vs t-PA intravenously: 181.6 ± 94.3, P = .0003 vs distilled water TBNI 42.5 ± 33.0, P < .0001). There were no complications.

Conclusions: EBUS-guided transbronchial thrombolysis may be a feasible approach for treating central pulmonary emboli.