Embolism

Question 1

define embolism

Answer 1

impaction of an embolus in a narrow blood vessel

Question 2

define embolus

Answer 2

insoluble mass circulating in the blood

Question 3

Enumerate types of embolisms

Answer 3

TT BP AF AF
* Thrombo-embolism
* Tumor embolism
* Bacterial embolism
* Parasitic embolism
* Amniotic fluid embolism
* Fat embolism
* Air embolism
* Foreign body embolism

Question 4

most common type of embolism

Answer 4

Thrombo-embolism

Question 5

thromboembolism is divided into

Answer 5

• Pulmonary embolism
• Systemic embolism
• Liver (portal) embolism
• Paradoxical embolism

Question 6

Source of pulmonary embolism

Answer 6

• DVT (deep vein trunks) = deep leg veins
• Right side of the heart

Question 7

describe the effect of pulmonary embolism

Answer 7

it depends on the size and frequnecy:
* Small & single (60%): no effect (silent)
* Small but recurring: Pulmonary hypertension –> right side heart failure (cor pulmonale)
* Medium sized in a healthy lung: no effect (as it has dual blood supply)
* Medium embolism with chronic lung venous congestion: hemorrhagic infarction
* Large thrombus = saddle embolism; sudden death due to pulmonary trunk occlusion and serotonin secretion bilateral pulmonary artery VC –> acute RHF

Question 8

Sources of Systemic embolism

Answer 8

80% from the heart:
* mural thrombus on old MI
* left atrial fibrillation

20%:
* Aortic aneurysm
* Cardiac valve vegetations
* Atherosclerosis
* Paradoxical = venous embolism

Question 9

Most common site of Systemic embolism

Answer 9

(75%) end arteries of lower extermities

Question 10

sites of systemic embolism

Answer 10

• 75% lower extermities
• 10% CNS
• Less common in intestine, kidney, spleen

Question 11

cause of Amniotic fluid embolism

Answer 11

1. respiratory distress & shock
2. Disseminated Intravascular coagulation (DIC)
3. Coagulation + pulmonary VC
4. Death

Question 12

causes of Air & gas embolism

Answer 12

• Injury of large neck veins
• injury of chest veins due to trauma
• Caisson disease/ decompression sickness

Question 13

Describe Caisson disease

Answer 13

• rapid ascend of scuba divers causes dissolved nitrogen to form bubbles that occlude vessels
• This causes pain in muscles & joints + neurological & breathing problems

Question 14

explain the effects of Air/gas embolism

Answer 14

• lodges in blood vessels, thus interferes with blood flow
• Large amount of gas in the heart may cause ineffective pumping
• few bubbles in IV therapy –> Harmless
• 100ml of air are need to harm

Question 15

causes of fat embolism

Answer 15

1. Long bone fracture
2. Burns
3. Extensive soft tissue injury