Embolism.The Silent Blocker: An Overview of Embolism

Embolism refers to the obstruction of a blood vessel by a circulating particle, such as a thrombus, fat, air, or amniotic fluid, which can lead to tissue damage and organ failure depending on the site of blockage.An embolism is like a traffic jam in your bloodstream — when a clot or bubble blocks the flow, vital organs are starved of oxygen, leading to serious health risks.

1. Embolism: Types, Sources, and Clinical Effects Classification, Pulmonary and Systemic Thromboembolism, Fat, Amniotic, and Air Embolism

2. Definition of Embolism Embolism: Passage of any detached mass within the bloodstream that lodges and occludes a vessel. Embolus: The transported intravascular material causing occlusion.

3. Classification of Emboli 1. According to consistency: - Solid: Thrombus, atheromatous debris, tumor fragments. - Liquid: Fat emboli, amniotic fluid emboli. - Gaseous: Air or nitrogen bubbles. 2. According to location: - Arterial, venous, or paradoxical emboli.

4. Pulmonary Thromboembolism Most common form of thromboembolic disease. Usually originates from deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Travels through right heart into pulmonary arteries.

5. Clinical Effects of Pulmonary Embolism Small emboli: May be asymptomatic or cause pulmonary infarction. Medium emboli: Cause pulmonary hemorrhage and dyspnea. Massive emboli: Obstruct main pulmonary artery → sudden death.

6. Systemic Thromboembolism Emboli arise in left heart chambers or aorta. Lodge in brain, kidneys, spleen, or limbs. Effects depend on site and adequacy of collateral circulation.

7. Fat Embolism Causes: Long bone fractures, soft tissue trauma, burns. Fat globules enter circulation → lodge in pulmonary and systemic microvasculature. Clinical effects: Dyspnea, anemia, thrombocytopenia, petechial rash.

8. Amniotic Fluid Embolism Caused by entry of amniotic fluid into maternal circulation during labor or delivery. Contains fetal cells, hair, or mucin → occludes pulmonary vessels. Leads to sudden respiratory distress, shock, and DIC.

9. Air or Gas Embolism Occurs due to entry of air into circulation. Causes: Obstetric procedures, chest trauma, decompression sickness (divers). Leads to obstruction of blood flow and ischemia.