An embolectomy is an emergency invasive procedure to remove life threatening clots. It is generally a procedure of last resort when pharmaceuticals have failed to break up a clot. Because of the danger of the procedure, it usually is only considered when necrosis is imminent. There are three basic procedures that can be used: The mortality rate for the procedure is highly dependent on the size and location of the clot, but an average of 20% of patients do not survive the procedure for one reason or another.