Arterial Embolism Overview
Learn About Arterial Embolism
Arterial embolism refers to a clot (embolus) that has come from another part of the body and causes a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part.
An "embolus" is a blood clot or a piece of atherosclerotic plaque that acts like a clot. The word "emboli" means there is more than one clot or piece of plaque. When the clot travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body, it is called an embolism.
An arterial embolism may be caused by one or more clots. The clots can get stuck in an artery and block blood flow. The blockage starves tissues of blood and oxygen. This can result in damage or tissue death (necrosis).
Arterial emboli often occur in the legs and feet. Emboli that occur in the brain cause a stroke. Ones that occur in the heart cause a heart attack. Other sites include the kidneys, intestines, and eyes.
Risk factors for arterial embolism include:
- Abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation
- Injury or damage to an artery wall
- Conditions that increase blood clotting
Another condition that poses a high risk for embolization (especially to the brain) is mitral stenosis. Endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart) can also cause arterial emboli.
A common source for an embolus is from areas of hardening (atherosclerosis causing plaque) in the aorta and other large blood vessels. These clots can break loose and flow down to the abdominal organs, legs and feet.
Paradoxical embolization can take place when a clot in a vein enters the right side of the heart and passes through a hole into the left side of the heart. The clot can then move to an artery and block blood flow to the brain (stroke) or other organs.
If a clot travels and lodges in the arteries supplying blood flow to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolus.
You may not have any symptoms.
Symptoms may begin quickly or slowly depending on the size of the embolus and how much it blocks the blood flow.
Symptoms of an arterial embolism in the arms or legs may include:
- Cold arm or leg
- Decreased or no pulse in an arm or leg
- Lack of movement in the arm or leg
- Pain in the affected area
- Numbness and tingling in the arm or leg
- Pale color of the arm or leg (pallor)
- Weakness of an arm or leg
Later symptoms:
- Blisters of the skin fed by the affected artery
- Shedding (sloughing) of skin
- Skin erosion (ulcer)
- Tissue death (necrosis; skin is dark and damaged)
Symptoms of a clot in an organ vary with the organ involved but may include:
- Pain in the part of the body that is involved
- Temporarily decreased organ function
Arterial embolism requires prompt treatment at a hospital. The goals of treatment are to control symptoms and to improve the interrupted blood flow to the affected area of the body. The cause of the clot, if found, should be treated to prevent further problems.
Medicines include:
- Anticoagulants (such as warfarin or heparin or one of the newer blood thinners such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, or dabigatran) can prevent new clots from forming
- Antiplatelet medicines (such as aspirin or clopidogrel) can prevent new clots from forming
- Painkillers given through a vein (by IV)
- Thrombolytics (such as streptokinase or tissue-type plasminogen activator) can dissolve clots
Some people need surgery. Procedures include:
- Bypass of the artery (arterial bypass) to create a second source of blood supply
- Clot removal through a balloon catheter placed into the affected artery or through open surgery on the artery (embolectomy)
- Opening of the artery with a balloon catheter (angioplasty) with or without a stent
Richard Whitlock practices in Toronto, Canada. Whitlock and is rated as a Distinguished expert by MediFind in the treatment of Arterial Embolism. His top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Arterial Embolism, Low Blood Pressure, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).
Frances Shepherd practices in Toronto, Canada. Shepherd and is rated as an Experienced expert by MediFind in the treatment of Arterial Embolism. Her top areas of expertise are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Cancer, EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Tissue Biopsy.
Emilie Cote-Belley practices in Toronto, Canada. Cote-Belley and is rated as an Experienced expert by MediFind in the treatment of Arterial Embolism. Her top areas of expertise are Low Blood Pressure, Atrial Fibrillation, Sepsis, Heart Bypass Surgery, and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).
How well a person does depends on the location of the clot and how much the clot has blocked blood flow and for how long the blockage has been present. Arterial embolism can be very serious if not treated promptly.
The affected area can be permanently damaged. Amputation is needed in up to 1 in 4 cases.
Arterial emboli can come back even after successful treatment.
Complications may include:
- Acute MI (heart attack)
- Infection in the affected tissue
- Septic shock
- Stroke (CVA)
- Temporary or permanent decrease or loss of other organ functions
- Temporary or permanent kidney failure
- Tissue death (necrosis) and gangrene
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of arterial embolism.
Prevention begins with finding possible sources of a blood clot. Your provider may prescribe blood thinners (such as warfarin or heparin) to prevent clots from forming. Antiplatelet drugs may also be needed.
You have a higher risk atherosclerosis and clots if you:
- Smoke
- Do little exercise
- Have high blood pressure
- Have abnormal cholesterol levels
- Have diabetes
- Are overweight
- Are stressed
Summary: This trial is a prospective, randomized, multicenter, multinational, blinded, superiority trial. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE) for the prevention of ischemic stroke or systemic arterial embolism in subjects undergoing cardiac surgery who have risk factors for atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke.
Summary: The AV-MDR is a prospective, non-randomized, open-label, multi-center registry. The purpose of the AV-MDR study is to proactively collect and evaluate clinical data on the usage of the devices in scope within their intended use with the aim of confirming safety and performance throughout their expected lifetime, ensuring the continued acceptability of identified risks, detecting emerging risks on ...
Published Date: May 08, 2024
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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