Restoring right heart function quickly is critical in PE. The Circulation-published STORM-PE trial found that CAVT improved cardiac recovery faster than anticoagulation alone in patients with intermediate-high risk PE.
The international, randomized study enrolled 100 adults with acute pulmonary embolism and an elevated right-to-left ventricular ratio. Participants were assigned to receive either CAVT with anticoagulation or anticoagulation alone.

At 48 hours, patients treated with CAVT had a mean RV/LV ratio reduction of 0.52 compared with 0.24 in the anticoagulation group, a difference of 0.27 (95% CI 0.12–0.43; P<0.001). CAVT also achieved greater improvement in pulmonary artery obstruction scores and faster stabilization of vital signs.

Within seven days, major adverse events occurred at similar rates between groups (4.3% for CAVT vs 7.5% for AC). Two pulmonary embolism-related deaths were reported in the CAVT arm.

The findings indicate that mechanical thrombectomy provides faster right ventricular recovery and earlier hemodynamic improvement without added short-term risk. The results support its potential as a safe reperfusion therapy in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.