Hemodynamics Part II: embolism Flashcards
define embolus
a detached intravascular solid, liquid or gaseous mass that is carried by the blood to a site distant from its point of origin
sources for arterial emboli
atrial fibrillation mitral stenosis- brain endocarditis mural thrombi in heart or aorta paradoxical emboli
systemic thromboembolism
emboli that migrate within the arterial circulation
most likely intracardiac mural thrombi
define mural thrombi
arterial thrombosis in cardiac chambers due to MI, ulcerated aterosclerotic plaqu or aneurysmal dilation
define paradoxical embolism
rare condition in which an embolus originating from venous circulation passes through an itner-atrial or inter-ventricular defect to gain access to the systemic circulation
where do 95% of pulmonary thromboembolism arise from?
deep leg vein thrombi above level of knee
define saddle embolus
pulmonary embolus that lodges across vessel bifurcation and causes sudden death
fat globules in the circulation are common due to (3)
fractures of long bones
soft tissue trauma
burns
what does an oil red O stain indicate?
fat embolism (fat in capillaries)
what type of embolism would be indicated by a diffuse petechial rash?
fat embolism
due to air in the circulation resulting from obstetric procedures and chest wall injury
air embolism
describe decompresssion sickness
nitrogen inspired at high pressures dissolves in blood and tissues in greater amounts than at atmospheric pressure. If there is a rapid decrease in pressure (decompression) nitrogen bubbles form in the circulation to form gas emboli
define the bends
painful formation of gas bubbles in skeletal muscels and supporting tissues in and around joints
define the chokes
gas emboli in lungs cause edema, hemorrhage atelectasis and emphysema causing respiratory distress
breach in placental membranes and uterine veins causes infusion of amiotic fluid into maternal circulation
amniotic fluid embolism
