Beijing Anzhen Hospital Pioneers “Heart-Lung-Vascular Co-Treatment” Model with a One-Stop Interventional Procedure for a Critically Ill Patient
From Crisis to Recovery: One-Stop Precision Intervention
A 67-year-old male presented with acute chest tightness and severe shortness of breath. Initial tests at a local hospital revealed significantly elevated troponin and D-dimer levels, suggesting an acute myocardial infarction.
Upon transfer to Beijing Anzhen Hospital, CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) confirmed a large embolism in the right main pulmonary artery, a branch embolism in the left pulmonary artery, and deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.
Given the patient’s dual risks of pulmonary obstruction and cardiac ischemia, the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Center formed a multidisciplinary task force. To prevent diagnostic delays and minimize the risk of bleeding from unnecessary anticoagulation, the team developed a combined treatment strategy: performing pulmonary thrombectomy and coronary angiography in a single session under local anesthesia.
Precision in Action: Pulmonary Thrombectomy + Coronary Angiography
On March 21, under local anesthesia, physicians accessed the femoral vein and deployed the Tendvia™ Pulmonary Thrombectomy System. Through real-time imaging, large thrombi were successfully removed using dual suction and retrieval stent technology, significantly improving pulmonary circulation and oxygenation.
Following thrombectomy, the team conducted coronary angiography to evaluate myocardial injury. The results showed 50–60% stenosis in the left anterior descending artery but no acute blockage, allowing physicians to optimize medication therapy instead of performing unnecessary interventional or thrombolytic procedures.
Post-surgery, the patient’s breathing rapidly improved, cardiac enzymes decreased, and recovery proceeded smoothly.
A Breakthrough in Integrated Cardiopulmonary Care
Traditionally, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and cardiac ischemia are managed separately, which can delay intervention and compromise outcomes.
Pulmonary embolism can cause right ventricular overload, leading to secondary myocardial ischemia—often misdiagnosed as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This may trigger inappropriate dual-antiplatelet or thrombolytic therapy, increasing bleeding risk.
The one-stop “Heart-Lung-Vascular” intervention integrates pulmonary thrombectomy with coronary evaluation in a single procedure. This not only expedites diagnosis and treatment but also reduces complications and mortality, representing a new paradigm in multisystem critical care.
Technical Highlights
✔ Comprehensive management – Lung and heart treated in one session
✔ Minimally invasive – Performed via femoral venous access under local anesthesia
✔ Real-time precision – Simultaneous assessment of pulmonary and coronary function
✔ Safety optimized – Reduced need for systemic thrombolysis or prolonged anticoagulation
✔ Innovative model – Sets a new benchmark for multidisciplinary cardiopulmonary treatment
Conclusion
The success of this case underscores Beijing Anzhen Hospital’s leading role in innovative cardiovascular-pulmonary emergency care.
By integrating advanced imaging, interventional expertise, and real-time collaboration between cardiology, vascular medicine, and anesthesiology, the hospital has established a global standard for precision, speed, and safety in managing complex cardiovascular emergencies.