Embolism: Warning Signs And Symptoms

Embolism: Warning Signs And Symptoms

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Embolism is the process of partial or complete obstruction of some part of the cardiovascular system by any mass carried in the circulation; the transported intravascular mass detached from its site of origin is called an embolism.

Signs and symptoms of embolism

Emboli may be of Various Types

• Depending upon the matter in the emboli, they can be:
  • Solid: Detached thrombi (thromboembolic), atheromatous material, tumor cell clumps, tissue fragments, parasites, bacterial clumps, and foreign bodies.
  • Liquid: Fat globules, amniotic fluid, bone marrow.
  • Gaseous: Air, and other gases.
• Depending upon whether infected or not, they are called:
  • Bland: when sterile.
  • Septic: when infected.
• Depending upon the source of the emboli, they are classified as:
  • Cardiac emboli from the left side of the heart, For Example. emboli originating from the atrium and atrial appendages, infarction in the left ventricle, and vegetations of endocarditis.
  • Arterial emboli, For Example. in systemic arteries in the brain, spleen, kidney intestine.
  • Venous emboli, For Example. in pulmonary arteries.
  • Lymphatic emboli can also occur.

Stroke due to embolism

• Depending upon the flow of blood, two special types of emboli are mentioned:
  • Paradoxical embolus: An embolus that is carried from the venous side of circulation to the arterial side or vice versa is called a paradoxical or crossed embolus, For Example. through arteriovenous communication such as in
    patent foramen ovale, septal defect of the heart, and arteriovenous shunts in the lungs.
  • Retrograde embolus: An embolus that travels against the flow of blood is called a retrograde embolus, For Example. metastatic deposits in the spine from carcinoma prostate. The spread occurs by retrograde embolism through intraspinal veins which carry tumor emboli from large thoracic and abdominal veins due to increased pressure in body cavities, For Example. during coughing or straining.