New Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Shows Promise
A new mechanical system restored artery pressure in half of study participants with pulmonary embolism.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Stroke
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The Vertex thrombectomy system by Jupiter Endovascular demonstrated safety and efficacy in the SPIRARE II trial for treating pulmonary embolism. Half of the treated patients achieved normalization of pulmonary artery pressure within 30 days of the procedure.
Why it matters
Pulmonary embolism remains a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency that often requires complex intervention. These results suggest a potential mechanical alternative to traditional drug therapies that could reduce the need for clot-dissolving medications.
The SPIRARE II trial involved 123 patients across 19 international study sites, recording a 2.4 percent major adverse event rate. Researchers found that mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased by 29 percent following the procedure, though these are preliminary findings.
The players
Jupiter Endovascular
A medical device company focused on developing catheter-based technologies for cardiovascular conditions.
The details
The Vertex system utilizes a single catheter designed to navigate through the heart and stabilize directly within the pulmonary arteries to extract clots. During the study, researchers used paired right heart catheterization for all participants to measure invasive hemodynamic profiles. The procedure successfully removed obstructions with a mean time of 28.5 minutes without the need for adjunctive thrombolytic drugs.
Timeline
The trial recorded primary and secondary endpoint success within 48 hours of the procedure.
Patients showed sustained symptom improvement at the 30-day follow-up mark.
Jupiter Endovascular announced the publication of trial results on October 19, 2026.
Health Landscape
The SPIRARE II trial builds on the existing TFX platform technology currently used in cardiovascular care. Jupiter Endovascular aims to utilize the success of this system to expand mechanical treatment options for a wider range of cardiovascular anatomies.
If you or a family member are at risk for pulmonary embolism, it is worth discussing available mechanical thrombectomy options with a cardiovascular specialist. These procedures are typically performed in hospital settings, so ask your physician about the latest evidence-based protocols for your specific condition.
The takeaway
Mechanical thrombectomy may offer a safe, thrombolytic-free approach to restoring hemodynamic function in pulmonary embolism patients. Patients should monitor for persistent severe dyspnea and discuss new interventional technologies with their care team.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in managing vascular blockages in our Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DAIC.
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