Specialist care close to home delivers life-saving clot retrieval for north Queensland father

A 49-year-old Cairns father is alive today thanks to an emergency clot retrieval procedure performed at Townsville University Hospital after he woke unable to breathe during a work trip.

Terry Buckley was staying in a Townsville hotel when he woke in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, dizzy and gasping for air.

Terry was experiencing a pulmonary embolism – a life-threatening condition where blood clots block the vessels supplying the lungs and placing the heart under severe strain.

“I woke up in real trouble. I was incredibly short of breath. I kept shifting positions trying to feel better, but nothing worked,” Terry said.

“I’ve never called Triple Zero in my life, but I knew I had to. It wasn’t about pain; I just couldn’t breathe.”

On arrival at Townsville University Hospital, a rapid multidisciplinary response was activated involving emergency, respiratory, cardiology, intensive care, anaesthetics and interventional radiology teams.

After assessing Terry’s scans and clinical condition, the team determined he would benefit from a mechanical thrombectomy – a minimally invasive procedure performed under X-ray guidance via a vein in the groin, which physically removes blood clots from the pulmonary arteries to restore blood flow.

Respiratory staff specialist Dr Pradeep Rajagopalan, who coordinated Terry’s care, said the first 24 to 48 hours are when patients with major pulmonary embolism are at highest risk.

“The clots were placing enormous pressure on the right side of Terry’s heart. Without intervention, this can be rapidly fatal,” Dr Rajagopalan said.

“While anticoagulation is the standard treatment for most pulmonary embolism, and clotdissolving medications are an option in severe cases, mechanical thrombectomy offered the best risk–benefit balance for Terry.

“I worked closely with interventional radiology colleague Dr Dougal Brown and our intensive care team to plan the procedure; this kind of coordinated response is what saves lives.”

Terry said the moment the clot was removed was unforgettable.

“I was awake the whole time, although quite sedated, and I could feel the catheter moving through my heart; it was the strangest sensation,” he said.

“When they removed the clot, the room just erupted. It felt like a stadium crowd cheering.”

Interventional radiology staff specialist Dr Dougal Brown said the clot retrieval service, which has treated more than 30 patients since launching three years ago, was a critical for the region.

“Having interventional radiology services here in north Queensland can be the difference between life and death in time-critical cases,” Dr Brown said.

“In the interventional suite alone, around 20 clinicians were involved, and across Terry’s hospital stay, more than 50 staff contributed to his care. Outcomes like this happen because every part of the system works together.”

Now recovering at home in Cairns, Terry said the care he received was exceptional.

“I just want to thank the doctors, nurses, paramedics and emergency team. They were absolutely amazing,” he said.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be here today.”

Pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. If you experience sudden, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or collapse, call
Triple Zero (000) immediately.