The word Embolism comes from the Greek word embolus, which means stopper. An embolism is where an embolus is created in some part of the body and circulates to another part of the body and becomes blocked. When an embolus becomes stuck in a vein, it blocks blood flow through a vein or artery.
Individuals who are at risk of blood clots are those who have blood abnormalities, HI”V, cancer, infections, and women in menopause. Pregnant women, obese people and the elderly are at risk of developing emboli (plural of embolus).
Common symptoms of an embolism
The symptoms an individual will have will largely depend on the type of embolism the person is suffering from. Some of the most common symptoms are listed below:
Ischemic attacks (where a part of the body doesn’t get enough blood flow)
Headaches
No pulse below a blocked a blocked artery
Paralysis
Chest pain
Dizziness
Cough
Cyanosis (skin turns blue from lack of oxygen below the area of the blockage)
Convulsions
Types of embolisms
Brain embolism – A brain embolism can cause a stroke by preventing blood flow to a part of the brain.
Retinal embolism – A retinal embolism can cause sudden blindness in an eye by blocking blood flow to the retina.
Thrombo-embolism – A thrombo-embolism is also called a thrombus. A thrombus is a blood clot that has broken free into circulation to form an embolus.
Cholesterol embolism – A cholesterol embolism is a piece of plaque breaks free into circulation.
Amniotic embolism – In pregnancy, fetal skin cells, hair and other debris can form in the amniotic fluid and enter into maternal circulation. The debris from the amniotic fluid can go straight to the lungs of the mother. This is a very rare occurrence; when this type of embolism occurs it is an extreme emergency.
Air embolism – Air bubbles can form blockages in the blood stream. Scuba divers are most at risk for air embolisms; divers in deep water can get the bends also called decompression sickness which causes the blood to create bubbles as if boiling.
Fat embolism – A fat embolism occurs when a person has suffered a fractured bone. Small droplets of fat can leave the bone through the break and enter into circulation and cause a blockage.
Septic embolism – A septic embolism is when infected material (pus) enters into circulation. A small amount of pus can block circulation.
Pulmonary embolism — A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that has obstructed a main arterial vessel of the lung.
Foreign body embolism – A foreign body embolism is any particle that is foreign to the body that enters circulation. An example of a foreign body embolism might be if a piece of an IV cannula broke free and caused an embolus. Another example of foreign body embolism is talc embolism. If drug users prepare oral medications to shoot into the vein, these drugs can have talc (magnesium trisilicate), cellulose and other substances which could form blockages.
How is an embolism diagnosed?
The doctor will order an electrocardiogram (EKG), arterial blood gas study, and chest X-rays. The doctor may also order pulmonary ventilation and perfusion scans. These scans measure breathing and circulation over all of the lung’s surface area. This test can detect a pulmonary embolism.
The doctor may also order a CT scan, ultrasound, an MRI and a pulmonary angiogram to be done. A D-dimer test may be ordered to indicate improper clotting of the blood. An electroencephalogram (EEG) may also be ordered if there is a possibility that an embolus has caused a blockage in the brain. An EEG will indicate if there are abnormal brain changes to indicate an embolus lodged in the brain.
How are embolisms treated?
Treatment options for embolisms depend on the location, size and nature of a blockage. A serious air embolism may be treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Some embolisms may be removed by a type of surgery called an embolectomy. People who have a history of embolisms may need to wear anti-embolism compression hose and take anticoagulants to thin the blood. Thrombolytic medications may be given to dissolve blood clots.
Conclusion
An embolism of any type can be life threatening. If an embolus lands in the lungs, this is an emergent situation that requires hospitalization. Some people are able to coexist with chronic embolisms. It is important to keep your doctor appointments, and to take your medication as prescribed. Your doctor may ask you to make lifestyle changes, which include diet, and exercise. Other lifestyle changes may include avoiding tobacco. If you use alcohol, check with your doctor to see how much is considered safe to drink.
Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001102.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thrombosis/article.htm
http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/full/174/6/1499
