STORM-PE Trial Explained (Computer-Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy by Penumbra)

This episode dives into the STORM PE Randomized Control Trial, which fundamentally shifts how we treat patients with intermediate high-risk Pulmonary Embolism (PE)—those who look stable but have hidden heart strain.

⚡ Key Findings

• Rapid Decompression: The trial compared standard anticoagulation (AC) alone to AC plus Computer-Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy (CAVT).

• Superior Efficacy: CAVT was significantly superior to AC alone, resulting in:

  • A greater than twofold reduction in deadly right ventricular (RV) strain within 48 hours.

  • A threefold higher chance of RV normalization.

  • A 100% resolution of high heart rate (tachycardia) in the CAVT group within 48 hours, compared to 56.5% in the AC group.

• Safety Profile: The decisive finding was that this aggressive intervention achieved superior clinical results without increasing the rate of major adverse events (like bleeding).

💡 Clinical Impact

This is the strongest evidence to date supporting mechanical thrombectomy as a first-line consideration for intermediate high-risk PE, safely preventing clinical collapse and stabilizing patients far faster than traditional methods.

Based on comments from experts, content on Wysdom, and the article cited below.

Lookstein RA, Konstantinides SV, Weinberg I, Dohad SY, Rosol Z, Kopeć G, Moriarty JM, Parikh SA, Holden A, Channick RN, McDonald B, Nagarsheth KH, Yamada K, Rosovsky RP; STORM-PE Trial Investigators. Randomized Controlled Trial of Mechanical Thrombectomy With Anticoagulation Versus Anticoagulation Alone for Acute Intermediate-High Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Primary Outcomes From the STORM-PE Trial. Circulation. 2026 Jan 6;153(1):21-34. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.077232. Epub 2025 Nov 3. PMID: 41183181.