Mumbai, Feb 11: In a striking example of how rapid diagnosis and advanced intervention can save lives, a 20-year-old male made a complete recovery after developing a massive, life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The young patient was initially being treated for necrotising pancreatitis, a serious condition in which part of the pancreas becomes damaged. During his hospital stay, he developed painful swelling in his left arm, followed shortly by sudden and worsening breathlessness. Within two days, he was gasping for breath even at rest.
Medical evaluation revealed critically low oxygen levels of just 56%, indicating severe respiratory failure. Further investigations confirmed Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in the left arm. A CT Pulmonary Angiography scan showed a massive pulmonary embolism, with near-complete blockage of both major pulmonary arteries due to extensive blood clots.Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that can rapidly lead to cardio-pulmonary failure and death if not treated immediately.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, the patient was transferred from a hospital in Dahisar following swift coordination with Dr. Ashish Mishra, Interventional Cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. He was in a critical condition during the early hours of the morning, Upon arrival at around 2:00 AM, the patient required non-invasive ventilator support and vasopressor medications to maintain blood pressure. Within two hours, Dr. Ashish Mishra and his team performed an emergency catheter-based intervention.
Using a minimally invasive approach, cardiologists inserted a catheter through a blood vessel to reach the blocked lung arteries. They mechanically removed large portions of the clot (mechanical thrombectomy) and simultaneously delivered clot-dissolving medication directly to the affected area (catheter-directed thrombolysis). This targeted approach allows faster restoration of blood flow while reducing the risk of bleeding associated with full-dose systemic thrombolysis.
The complex procedure lasted approximately 150 minutes and was carried out while the patient remained critically unstable.
The response was rapid and dramatic. Within hours, the patient’s breathing improved, oxygen requirements reduced steadily, and blood pressure stabilised. Life-supporting medications were gradually withdrawn as his condition improved. After a steady recovery, the patient was discharged on Day 7, breathing comfortably without supplemental oxygen.Commenting on the case, Dr. Ashish Mishra explained that conditions such as severe pancreatitis can significantly increase the risk of blood clots, even in young and otherwise healthy individuals.
“Symptoms like unexplained limb swelling, sudden breathlessness, and falling oxygen levels should never be ignored. Early recognition and timely referral are critical and this case highlights how modern catheter-based therapies, when delivered promptly and by experienced teams, can dramatically improve survival— even in the most critical, life-threatening emergencies.” he said.