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 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. Less common 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 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) 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

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
• 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

Published Date: May 08, 2022
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Aufderheide TP. Peripheral arteriovascular disease. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 73.

Gerhard-Herman MD, Gornik HL, Barrett C, et al. 2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(11):1465-1508. PMID: 27851991 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27851991/.

Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 45.

Kabrhel C. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 74.

Zettervall SL, Schemerhorm ML. Acute mesenteric arterial disease: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and management. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 133.