Arterial Occlusion / Embolism / Clot – Treatments, Cure, Causes Billion Dollar Questions @ BillDoll.com – The Billion Dollar Site

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Arterial Occlusion / Embolism / Clot – Treatments, Cure, Causes .. .. The main question for this topic @ Billion Dollar Questions: What are the causes & treatments for severe, chronic leg pain? See a list of all the topics under the question here. Related sections @ BillDoll: A-Z of Diseases – diagnosis & treatment resources for over 200 diseases @ BillDoll Diseases section; click on the letter for diseases starting with that letter: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z Arterial Occlusion / Embolism / Clot Arterial embolism is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part due to a clot (embolus). Causes, incidence, and risk factors An embolus is a blood clot or a piece of plaque that acts in the same manner as a clot. Emboli means more than one clot. If the clot travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body it is called an embolism. An arterial embolism may be caused by one or more clots. The clots can get stuck in an artery and block blood flow. The blockage starves tissues of blood and oxygen, which can result in damage or tissue death (necrosis). Arterial emboli often occur in the legs and feet. Some may occur in the brain, causing a stroke, or the heart, causing a heart attack. Less common sites include the kidneys, intestines, and the eyes. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for an arterial embolism. The risk of an embolism increases when factors that tend to form clots are increased. Such factors may include injury or damage to an artery wall and conditions that increase blood clotting (such as increased platelet count). Symptoms Symptoms may begin abruptly or slowly depending on the size of the embolus and the extent to which it blocks the blood flow. Symptoms of an arterial embolism in the arms or legs may include: Muscle pain in the affected area Muscle spasm in the affected area Numbness and tingling in the arm or leg Pale color of arm or leg Decreased or absent pulse in the extremity Cold arm or leg Lack of movement of the extremity Weakness of arm or leg Fingers or hands feels cool Loss of muscle function Later symptoms: Blisters Skin erosion (ulcer) Tissue death (necrosis; skin is dark and damaged) Sloughing of skin Symptoms of a clot in an organ vary with the organ involved but may include: Pain Temporarily decreased organ function Ischemia (lack of oxygen) Infarction (tissue death) Signs and tests Tests to diagnose arterial embolism or reveal the source of emboli may include: Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity Transcranial Doppler Echocardiogram Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) MRI Angiography of the affected extremity or organ Renal arteriography Extremity arteriography Plethysmography Duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam of extremity 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) 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 Prevention Begins with identifying the source of the blood clot. If your health care provider determines you have a high risk for blood clots, you may be prescribed blood thinners (such as Coumadin) to prevent their formation. Antiplatelet drugs may also be needed. The risk for both atherosclerosis and clot formation increases in persons who smoke, are under stress, are overweight, or who are inactive and do no exercise. Taking steps to reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) may reduce your risk of an arterial embolus forming from a piece of plaque.  .. .. 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