[A] 1.22 Embolism Flashcards
1
Q
Define: Embolus
A
“Free-floating material in the blood”
- Solid mass/gas bubble
- Carried by the bloodstream
- Stops in a narrower blood vessel
Embolism = Transport process
2
Q
Embolism: Causes
A
- Trauma
- Sudden movement
- Forced abdominal pressure
- Coughing
- Inflammation, malignant tumour
- Iatrogenic cause (my medical action)
3
Q
Embolism: Direction of travel
A
- According to the bloodstream
- BUT paradox (foramen ovale), retrograde
4
Q
Outcome of embolism: Local
A
Infarct
- Venous → Pulmonary circulation
- Arterial → Smaller artery downstream
5
Q
List the outcomes caused by embolism
A
- Infarct
- Metastasis of pathogens
- Sudden death (lung, brain)
- Embolus removal
- Compensation by anastomosis
6
Q
What is shown?
A
Anaemic infarcts, swine kidney
7
Q
Give the types of emboli
A
- Thrombus
- Cells
- Air/gas bubble
- Fat droplets
- Parasites
- Aggregates of bacteria & fungi
- Tumour cells
- Tissue fragments (skin)
- Solid foreign material
8
Q
Type of embolus: Thrombus
A
Emboli derived from fragments of a thrombus
9
Q
Type of embolus: Fat droplets
A
From bone marrow after fracture
10
Q
Type of embolus: Parasites
A
- Dilofilaria
- Flukes
11
Q
Type of embolus: Aggregates of bacteria & fungi
A
Valvular endocarditis - External iliac arteries (Saddle)
