Customer question:
What causes an embolism? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
The leading cause of embolism is the presence of a blood clot, called a thrombus, which can form in different parts of the body and then break off and travel through the bloodstream. Thromboembolism is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in one part of the body, which then breaks off and travels through the bloodstream.
Thromboembolism can occur in various places, but most often, the thrombus originates from the deep veins of the lower extremities (deep vein thrombosis—GVT) or the heart (e.g., in the case of atrial fibrillation or from a preexisting heart valve).
In addition to thromboembolism, embolism can also occur due to other causes, such as:
- Fat embolism: fat globules formed after the fracture of long tubular bones can be released into the bloodstream and cause blockage of the vascular system, especially in the lungs.
- Gas or air embolism: the vascular system can become "clogged" with gas/air, which usually forms in blood vessels or arteries.
- Tumors: Blood clots can also form in tumors located in veins and then break free as emboli.
- Amniotic fluid: During childbirth, small amounts of fetal cells or amniotic fluid particles can be released into the mother's bloodstream, which can cause embolism.
Embols can be very dangerous, as they often cause acute blockages of blood flow, which can lead to severe complications such as heart attack, stroke, pulmonary infarction, or gangrene. Treatment of an embolism is usually urgent and depends on the cause and severity of the condition.
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