Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Manipal Hospital Goa on March 28 launched the region’s first Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT), a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at enabling rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), a leading cause of sudden and preventable deaths.
The programme was formally inaugurated by distinguished medical experts including Dr. Charudutt Jayant Sambhaji, Consultant Endovascular Surgery and Interventional Radiology; Dr. Rakesh Deshmane, Consultant CTVS; Dr. Elaine Rodrigues, Consultant Critical Care & Anaesthesiology; Dr. John Muchahary, Consultant Interventional Pulmonology; Dr. Dalia Dipchand Bhandare, Consultant Anaesthesiology; Dr. Mahadeva Swamy B C, Consultant Hemato-Oncology and BMT; and Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology. The launch marked a new step in emergency cardiac and pulmonary care in the region.
The PERT model brings together specialists from interventional radiology, pulmonary medicine, critical care, emergency medicine, cardiothoracic surgery and hematology, ensuring real-time, coordinated decision-making in high-risk emergencies. A key highlight of the initiative is the integration of AI-enabled thrombectomy systems — Penumbra Lightning FLASH and Lightning Bolt — allowing faster and minimally invasive clot removal.
The launch follows the hospital’s recent success in managing complex thromboembolic conditions through advanced mechanical thrombectomy procedures. In a major clinical milestone, the hospital performed Western India’s first Pulmonary Artery Mechanical Thrombectomy and the second in the country in a young patient with acute-on-chronic pulmonary embolism.
In another complex case, the team successfully carried out a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) thrombectomy in an elderly patient with advanced malignancy. Both minimally invasive procedures were performed in the Cath Lab using the Penumbra Lightning Bolt 12 modulated aspiration system, enabling rapid catheter-based clot removal and immediate clinical stabilisation.
Doctors said the elderly patient had a massive iliofemoral clot burden blocking critical venous pathways. Through mechanical thrombectomy, the clot was physically removed, restoring venous outflow and reducing the risk of further complications.
In the second case, the young patient with acute-on-chronic pulmonary embolism had new clots forming over existing clots in the pulmonary arteries, severely affecting blood flow and straining the heart. Pulmonary artery mechanical thrombectomy helped achieve rapid clot removal, improving pulmonary circulation and ensuring prompt recovery.
Dr. Charudutt Jayant Sambhaji, Lead of the PERT programme, said the cases highlight the expanding role of advanced mechanical thrombectomy in managing complex and high-risk thrombotic conditions. He added that PERT ensures timely treatment and improves survival outcomes through coordinated care.
Hospital Director Surendra Prasad said the procedures reflect the team’s clinical expertise and commitment to offering advanced, life-saving therapies to patients across Goa and neighbouring regions.
The hospital also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the Cath Lab team, ICU staff and supporting personnel in the success of the procedures.
With the launch of PERT, Manipal Hospital Goa aims to strengthen emergency and vascular care in the state by delivering timely, technology-driven interventions for life-threatening conditions.
