THROMBOSIS & EMBOLUS, ARTERIAL

General Information

DEFINITION--Blood-clot formation in an artery (thrombosis) that may travel to distant organs (embolus).

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Large or medium arteries anywhere in the body, especially arteries in the neck or arteries to the brain, intestine, legs, arms or kidney.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults of both sexes.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

The following depend on where the embolus lodges:

• Brain: temporary blindness, speaking difficulty, partial paralysis, hearing loss, headache and dizziness.
• Extremities: pain in the arm or calf after exercise (subsides with rest); weakness, numbness, burning and tingling sensations; weak or absent pulse beyond the blocked blood flow. These symptoms subside with rest.
• Intestine: abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; and shock.

CAUSES--

Clots may form with any condition that damages the smooth lining of the heart or that of a blood vessel. As the clot grows, small or large portions break away and are carried by the bloodstream to the brain, abdomen, extremities or other areas. Conditions that damage the blood-vessel lining include:

• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
• Injury to a blood vessel from accident or surgery.
• Heart valve disease.
• Heart attack.
• Atrial fibrillation.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Adults over 60.
• Smoking.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Previous transient ischemic attacks.

HOW TO PREVENT

• If you have high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, adhere to your treatment program to control the disease.
• Take anticoagulant drugs for a short time after injury or surgery to prevent blood clots.
• Exercise regularly to keep blood vessels healthy.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Venography or arteriography (See Glossary for both).
• Surgery to repair or replace damaged blood vessels or to remove an embolus by suction or bypass.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Surgery to repair or replace damaged blood vessels or to remove an embolus by suction or bypass.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Tissue death or gangrene in cells deprived of oxygen by a clot.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Depends on the organs affected, size of the affected blood vessel and size of the embolus. Early treatment is essential. Clots in the extremities can be removed with surgery, relieving symptoms. Clots to the brain, kidney and intestines may cause death or permanent disability before they can be removed.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES----Follow suggestions under Diet and Activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Anticoagulants to thin the blood and reduce the chance of embolus.
• Vasodilators to widen blood vessels.

ACTIVITY--Complete rest is necessary until circulation is re-established by surgery or other treatment.

DIET--No special diet during recovery. However, atherosclerosis and diabetes require dietary control.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of arterial thrombosis or embolus.
• Symptoms return after surgery.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.