Results from a comparative study to evaluate the treatment effectiveness of a nonpneumatic compression device vs an advanced pneumatic compression device for lower extremity lymphedema swelling (TEAYS study).

Objective: Advanced pneumatic compression devices (APCDs) have been shown to be effective in treatment of lower extremity lymphedema in the home setting. However, adherence to self-care has been poor, and APCDs require patients to remain immobile during treatment. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel nonpneumatic compression device (NPCD) for treating lower extremity lymphedema vs an APCD.

Massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy treated with catheter-directed tissue plasminogen activator.

Pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of maternal death in the United States, contributing to the death of approximately 2 women per 100,000 live births each year. Thrombosis during pregnancy traditionally is treated conservatively with unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin; however, cardiovascular collapse associated with a large pulmonary embolus may require immediate aggressive intervention to save the mother and fetus. We report the use of catheter infusion thrombolysis in the successful management of a third-trimester pregnant patient with a hemodynamically significant saddle pulmonary embolus.