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embolism (emībә-liz-әm) the sudden blocking of an artery by a clot of foreign material (embolus) that has been brought by the blood current to the place where it has become lodged. The obstructing material is most often a blood clot, but it may be a fat globule, air bubble, piece of tissue, or clump of bacteria. If it is in an artery, it causes symptoms beyond the obstruction such as pallor, coldness, and lack of a pulse. If the obstruction is not removed, gangrene may result. See also thrombosis. air embolism
one due to air bubbles entering the veins from trauma, surgical procedures, or severe decompression sickness. cerebral embolism
embolism of a cerebral artery, one of the three main causes of stroke syndrome. pulmonary embolism(PE)
obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by an embolus, most often a blood clot swept into circulation from
a large peripheral vein, such as in a lower limb. Symptoms may include rapid or labored breathing, coughing that is sometimes
bloody, and pleuritic pain. Factors that predispose a patient to this condition include: stasis of blood flow (as in a bedridden
or debilitated patient); venous injury (as from surgery or trauma to a part); predisposition to clot formation because of
malignancy or use of oral contraceptives; cardiovascular disease; chronic lung disease; and diabetes mellitus.
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