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Arterial embolism

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

Arterial embolism requires prompt hospitalization for treatment. The goals of treatment are to control symptoms and to improve the interrupted blood flow to the affected area of the body. The underlying cause of the clot, if identified, should be treated to prevent further problems.

Medications include:

• Thrombolytics (such as streptokinase)
• Anticoagulants (such as warfarin or heparin)
• Antiplatelet medications (such as aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel)
• Painkillers given by IV

Some people may need surgery. Procedures include:

• Thromboaspiration (clot aspiration)
• Embolectomy (clot removal through a balloon catheter or through open surgery)
• Angioplasty (dilatation of the artery with a balloon catheter) with or without implantation of a stent
• Blood vessel bypass

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a patient does depends on the location of the clot and how much the clot has blocked blood flow. Arterial embolism can be serious if not treated promptly. There is a 25 - 30% death rate.

The affected area can be permanently damaged. Up to approximately 25% of cases require amputation.

Arterial emboli can come back (recur) even after successful treatment.

Complications:

• Infection in the affected tissue
• Tissue death ( necrosis ) and gangrene
• Septic shock
• Acute MI
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Stroke ( CVA )
• Temporary or permanent kidney failure
• Temporary or permanent decrease or loss of other organ functions

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms indicate you may have an arterial embolism.

• Review Date: 6/1/2006
• Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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