Blood clots develop from a collection of blood cells that join, or lump, together. In some cases, the clot forms inside an artery or vein, and then becomes dislodged and travels to another part of the body to lodge in that place instead, a condition called an embolism. Embolisms can be extremely dangerous, since they often block arteries or veins that supply vital organs.
Types
An arterial embolism occurs when a blood clot becomes stuck in an artery and halts the flow of blood beyond that point. Arterial embolisms may block blood flow to organs such as the kidneys, eyes, intestines or brain. In some cases, they block blood flow to an arm, leg or foot, causing tissue death past the point of the blockage. If the clot begins in a vein, travels into the heart and passes into an artery, it is called a paradoxical embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when the clot blocks an artery in the lungs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an embolism caused by a blood clot vary depending on the area of the body involved. In a pulmonary embolism, the person may cough up blood, experience chest pain and develop a sudden shortness of breath, explains MayoClinic.com. An arterial embolism in the arm or leg may cause numbness, spasms, tingling, coldness or a loss of movement in the affected limb. Paradoxical embolisms may present as chest pain, loss of sensation or movement in limbs, or a stroke.
Risk Factors
While blood clots and their associated embolisms can occur in anyone, some people are more at risk. Anyone who remains immobile for long periods of time, such as people on bed rest or those who frequently take long distance flights, are more likely to develop clots and embolisms. Older individuals, people who have had surgery recently, and those who have a family history of blood clots may also be at higher risk. Other potential risk factors include pregnancy, obesity, smoking, the use of supplemental estrogen and a history of cancer or heart disease.
Complications
A blood clot or embolism may lead to death of the affected tissue, which can develop rapidly into organ failure or the loss of use of the affected limb. If the blood clot or embolus affects the brain, the death of brain tissue can cause a stroke or create an abscess in the brain. Pulmonary embolisms are fatal in about one-third of all untreated cases, according to MayoClinic.com. Breathing difficulty and heart failure are other potential complications of a pulmonary embolism.
Treatment
According to Medline Plus, the first line of treatment for a blood clot or embolism is to administer anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs to prevent the formation of new clots and halt the growth of existing clots. Painkillers are also often supplied via I.V., and thrombolytics are administered to break up the existing clot. In emergency cases, the clot may be removed surgically, or a bypass may be performed to route blood past the area of the clot.
