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Arterial embolism

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83: 52: 817:, approximately 550,000 people die each year from heart-related arterial embolism and thrombosis. Approximately 250,000 of these individuals are female, and approximately 100,000 of all these deaths are considered premature, that is, prior to the age of average life expectancy. 1187: 388:
to compensate for the loss of arterial flow. However, it takes time for sufficient collateral circulation to develop, making affected areas more vulnerable for sudden occlusion by embolisation than for e.g. gradual occlusion as in
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carrying deoxygenated blood away from the heart. However, pulmonary embolism is generally classified as a form of venous embolism, because the embolus forms in veins. Arterial embolism is the major cause of
740:. Limb amputation is in itself usually remarkably well-tolerated, but is associated with substantial mortality (~50%), primarily because of the severity of the diseases in patients where it is indicated. 132:
Symptoms may begin quickly or slowly depending on the size of the embolus and how much it blocks the blood flow. Symptoms of embolisation in an organ vary with the organ involved but commonly include:
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Arterial emboli often occur in the legs and feet. Some may occur in the brain, causing a stroke, or in the heart, causing a heart attack. Less common sites include the kidneys, intestines, and eyes.
755:. The affected area can be permanently damaged, and up to approximately 25% of cases require amputation of an affected extremity. Arterial emboli may recur even after successful treatment. 1242: 358:, which happens when a clot in a vein enters the right side of the heart and passes through a hole into the left side. The clot can then move to an artery and cause arterial embolisation. 748:
How well a patient does depends on the location of the clot and to what extent the clot has blocked blood flow. Arterial embolism can be serious if not treated promptly.
259:. The legs and feet are major impact sites for these types. Thus, risk factors for atherosclerosis are risk factors for arterial embolisation as well: 691:). Intra-arterial thrombolysis reduces thromboembolic occlusion by 95% in 50% of cases, and restores adequate blood flow in 50% to 80% of cases. 1126: 931: 727:
Balloon catheterization or open embolectomy surgery reduces mortality by nearly 50% and the need for limb amputation by approximately 35%.
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Sean O. Stitham, MD and David C. Dugdale III, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD. Reviewed last on: August 5, 2008. Alternative link:
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Tests to determine any underlying cause for thrombosis or embolism and to confirm presence of the obstruction may include:
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Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and improving the interrupted blood flow to the affected area of the body.
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medication. These are commonly given because thromboembolism is the major cause of arterial embolism. Examples are:
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Appropriate drug treatments successfully produce thrombolysis and removal of the clot in 50% to 80% of all cases.
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An arterial embolism is caused by one or more emboli getting stuck in an artery and blocking blood flow, causing
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include coldness, decreased or no pulse beyond the site of blockage, pain, muscle spasm, numbness and tingling,
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Antithrombotic agents may be administered directly onto the clot in the vessel using a flexible catheter (
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is useful in individuals where administration of radiopaque contrast material must be kept to a minimum.
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in the aorta and other large blood vessels is a common risk factor, both for thromboembolism and
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In addition to evaluating the symptoms above, the health care provider may find decreased or no
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In case of high risk for developing thromboembolism, antithrombotic medication such as
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If extensive necrosis and gangrene has set in an arm or leg, the limb may have to be
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Possible complications of arterial embolism depend on the site of the obstruction:
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is classified as arterial embolism as well, in the sense that the clot follows the
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Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson (2007).
225:, the major cause of arterial embolism, include disturbed blood flow (such as in 1215: 716: 705: 677: 672: 650: 646: 183: 163: 120:(which may also be caused by e.g. arterial compression, rupture or pathological 668: 578:, which is a major risk factor of arterial embolism, can be performed e.g. by 558: 525: 521: 517: 377: 367: 155: 144: 117: 76: 1048: 420:- embolism of cholesterol, often from atherosclerotic plaque inside a vessel. 147:
of the affected tissue. This may cause permanently decreased organ function.
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may be done to identify the organism responsible for any causative infection
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poses a high risk of forming emboli which may travel to the brain and cause
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increases the risk for thromboembolism, by a mixture of the factors above.
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blocking the flow of blood, the major type of embolus being a blood clot (
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is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part due to an
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Blockage of arteries that supply arms or legs may result in necrosis and
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for measuring elevated enzymes in the blood, including cardiac-specific
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isoenzymes. These indicate embolisation to the heart that has caused
1191: 802: 778: 242: 194: 175: 100: 724: 384:). Individuals with arterial thrombosis or embolism often develop 790:
Temporary or permanent decrease or loss of other organ functions
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Arterial embolisms can consist of various materials, including:
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Other important risk factors for arterial embolism include:
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recent surgery (both for thromboembolism and air embolism)
432:(also known as a gas embolism) – embolism of air bubbles. 1169: 1206: 1173: 70: 44: 929:MDGuidelines > Arterial Embolism And Thrombosis 1243:Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries 942:by Presley Reed, MD. Retrieved on April 30, 2010 702:surgery to create another source of blood supply 332:a history of long-term intravenous therapy (for 924: 922: 920: 918: 916: 914: 912: 910: 908: 906: 904: 902: 900: 898: 896: 894: 892: 890: 888: 886: 884: 882: 880: 878: 876: 874: 872: 870: 868: 866: 864: 862: 860: 858: 856: 854: 852: 850: 30:"Peripheral embolism" redirects here. See also 1040: 1038: 1036: 1034: 1032: 1030: 1028: 1026: 1024: 1022: 1020: 1018: 1016: 1014: 1012: 1010: 1008: 1006: 1004: 1002: 1000: 998: 996: 994: 992: 990: 988: 986: 984: 982: 980: 978: 976: 974: 972: 970: 968: 848: 846: 844: 842: 840: 838: 836: 834: 832: 830: 966: 964: 962: 960: 958: 956: 954: 952: 950: 948: 8: 777:(TIA), and, in prolonged blood obstruction, 451:almost exclusively affects the venous side. 426:– embolism of bone fracture or fat droplets. 233:), injury or damage to an artery wall, and 1170: 81: 50: 41: 730:Embolectomy by open surgery on the artery 329:previous stroke or cardiovascular disease 826: 751:Without treatment, it has a 25% to 30% 438:– embolism of pus containing bacteria. 143:Later symptoms are closely related to 27:Interruption of blood flow to an organ 414:– embolism of thrombus or blood clot. 7: 1148:The Lecturio Medical Concept Library 1096:The Lecturio Medical Concept Library 1071:The Lecturio Medical Concept Library 653:) can prevent new clots from forming 493:myocardial contrast echocardiography 237:(such as increased platelet count). 139:Temporarily decreased organ function 504:of the affected extremity or organ 354:of the heart makes it possible for 1045:MedlinePlus > Arterial embolism 680:to relax and dilate blood vessels. 25: 565:inserted directly into an artery. 489:Transesophageal echocardiography 601:may be taken prophylactically. 506:Digital subtraction angiography 940:The Medical Disability Advisor 136:Pain in the involved body part 1: 773:In the brain, it can cause a 723:with or without implanting a 694:Surgical procedures include: 481:exam of arteries to the brain 1092:"Overview of Bone Fractures" 59:An embolized fragment of an 689:intra-arterial thrombolysis 201:, possibly to the grade of 99:adhering to the wall of an 32:Peripheral vascular disease 1259: 1121:. Philadelphia: Saunders. 1053:February 20, 2007, at the 767:In the heart it can cause 605:drugs may also be needed. 512:Magnetic resonance imaging 400: 365: 29: 934:February 2, 2018, at the 775:transient ischemic attack 301:, or decreased levels of 150:For example, symptoms of 63:(a tumor embolus) at the 58: 49: 376:, possibly resulting in 356:paradoxical embolization 18:Arterial thromboembolism 1119:Robbins Basic Pathology 721:balloon catheterization 639:antiplatelet medication 449:amniotic fluid embolism 209:Commonly occluded sites 477:. It may also involve 475:duplex ultrasonography 386:collateral circulation 205:in the affected limb. 166:(an excessive form of 769:myocardial infarction 616:Medications include: 554:myocardial infarction 538:myocardial infarction 497:myocardial infarction 401:Further information: 366:Further information: 274:(high blood pressure) 152:myocardial infarction 663:) can dissolve clots 552:(ECG) for detecting 479:transcranial doppler 418:Cholesterol embolism 291:hypertriglyceridemia 287:hypercholesterolemia 257:cholesterol embolism 563:fiberoptic catheter 550:Electrocardiography 463:in the arm or leg. 380:with tissue death ( 314:Sedentary lifestyle 227:atrial fibrillation 1207:External resources 495:(MCE) to diagnose 471:Doppler ultrasound 235:hypercoagulability 128:Signs and symptoms 109:pulmonary embolism 1230: 1229: 1144:"Atherosclerosis" 1128:978-1-4160-2973-1 712:Thromboaspiration 588:smoking cessation 584:physical exercise 561:using a flexible 309:diabetes mellitus 267:cigarette smoking 221:Risk factors for 93:Arterial embolism 90: 89: 65:iliac bifurcation 45:Arterial embolism 39:Medical condition 16:(Redirected from 1250: 1171: 1159: 1158: 1156: 1154: 1140: 1134: 1132: 1113: 1107: 1106: 1104: 1102: 1088: 1082: 1081: 1079: 1077: 1063: 1057: 1042: 943: 926: 485:Echocardiography 299:apolipoprotein B 172:light-headedness 122:vasoconstriction 113:pulmonary artery 86: 85: 54: 42: 21: 1258: 1257: 1253: 1252: 1251: 1249: 1248: 1247: 1233: 1232: 1231: 1226: 1225: 1202: 1201: 1182: 1168: 1163: 1162: 1152: 1150: 1142: 1141: 1137: 1129: 1116: 1114: 1110: 1100: 1098: 1090: 1089: 1085: 1075: 1073: 1065: 1064: 1060: 1055:Wayback Machine 1043: 946: 936:Wayback Machine 927: 828: 823: 811: 795:septic embolism 761: 746: 611: 576:atherosclerosis 572: 534:creatine kinase 457: 442:Cancer embolism 436:Septic embolism 412:Thromboembolism 405: 399: 391:atherosclerosis 370: 364: 362:Pathophysiology 295:lipoprotein (a) 253:Atherosclerosis 239:Mitral stenosis 231:mitral stenosis 223:thromboembolism 219: 211: 199:muscle weakness 191:limb infarction 154:mainly include 130: 105:thromboembolism 80: 40: 35: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1256: 1254: 1246: 1245: 1235: 1234: 1228: 1227: 1224: 1223: 1211: 1210: 1208: 1204: 1203: 1200: 1199: 1183: 1178: 1177: 1175: 1174:Classification 1167: 1166:External links 1164: 1161: 1160: 1135: 1127: 1108: 1083: 1067:"Hypertension" 1058: 944: 825: 824: 822: 819: 810: 807: 806: 805: 791: 788: 782: 771: 760: 757: 753:mortality rate 745: 742: 734: 733: 732: 731: 728: 714: 703: 682: 681: 675: 666: 665: 664: 654: 627:Anticoagulants 621:Antithrombotic 610: 607: 574:Prevention of 571: 568: 567: 566: 556: 547: 544:Blood cultures 541: 515: 509: 499: 482: 461:blood pressure 456: 453: 445: 444: 439: 433: 427: 421: 415: 398: 395: 363: 360: 348: 347: 337: 330: 327: 320: 319: 316: 311: 306: 283:hyperlipidemia 280: 275: 269: 264: 218: 215: 210: 207: 141: 140: 137: 129: 126: 107:). 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Retrieved 1147: 1138: 1133:8th edition. 1118: 1111: 1099:. Retrieved 1095: 1086: 1074:. Retrieved 1070: 1061: 939: 812: 809:Epidemiology 762: 750: 747: 735: 693: 688: 686: 683: 678:Vasodilators 615: 612: 603:Antiplatelet 592: 573: 465: 458: 446: 441: 430:Air embolism 424:Fat embolism 406: 371: 349: 344:fat embolism 334:air embolism 321: 305:cholesterol) 272:hypertension 263:advanced age 251: 247:Endocarditis 220: 217:Risk factors 212: 189:Symptoms of 188: 184:palpitations 149: 142: 131: 92: 91: 36: 1216:MedlinePlus 717:Angioplasty 706:Embolectomy 669:Painkillers 651:clopidogrel 647:ticlopidine 518:Blood tests 293:, elevated 164:diaphoresis 1153:August 25, 1101:August 25, 1076:August 25, 821:References 570:Prevention 559:Angioscopy 530:myoglobins 526:troponin I 522:troponin T 378:infarction 368:Infarction 156:chest pain 145:infarction 118:infarction 77:Cardiology 744:Prognosis 738:amputated 698:Arterial 659:(such as 641:(such as 629:(such as 609:Treatment 491:(TEE) or 455:Diagnosis 397:Materials 203:paralysis 72:Specialty 1237:Category 1051:Archived 932:Archived 799:gangrene 786:gangrene 631:warfarin 599:coumadin 595:warfarin 403:Embolism 382:necrosis 374:ischemia 180:vomiting 168:sweating 813:In the 643:aspirin 635:heparin 580:dieting 524:and/or 285:, e.g. 278:obesity 160:dyspnea 97:embolus 1221:001102 1125:  803:sepsis 779:stroke 700:bypass 671:given 649:, and 637:) and 532:, and 318:stress 243:stroke 195:pallor 182:, and 176:nausea 101:artery 79:  938:From 725:stent 719:with 514:(MRI) 342:(for 1155:2021 1123:ISBN 1103:2021 1078:2021 801:and 586:and 229:and 197:and 1197:I74 1188:ICD 793:In 633:or 597:or 303:HDL 297:or 124:). 1239:: 1219:: 1195:: 1192:10 1146:. 1094:. 1069:. 947:^ 829:^ 645:, 590:. 582:, 528:, 393:. 350:A 289:, 245:. 186:. 178:, 174:, 162:, 158:, 1190:- 1180:D 1157:. 1131:. 1105:. 1080:. 781:. 346:) 336:) 34:. 20:)

Index

Arterial thromboembolism
Peripheral vascular disease

atrial myxoma
iliac bifurcation
Specialty
Cardiology
Edit this on Wikidata
embolus
artery
thromboembolism
pulmonary embolism
pulmonary artery
infarction
vasoconstriction
infarction
myocardial infarction
chest pain
dyspnea
diaphoresis
sweating
light-headedness
nausea
vomiting
palpitations
limb infarction
pallor
muscle weakness
paralysis
thromboembolism

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