Thromboembolism
| Overview |
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- Thromboemboli are by far the most common subtype of emboli and are composed of a thrombus. Thromboemboli occur when coagulation is initiated in one segment of the vasculature and the clot detaches, travels, and deposits in a different segment of vasculature. Several common types of Thromboemboli exist which possess clinical monickers as described below. As with all emboli, the the clinical consequences of thromboembolism depend on the location in which the embolus deposits.
| Subtypes |
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- Pulmonary Thromboemboli
- These are the most common form of embolism to come to clinical attention. They occur when a venous thrombosis (often a Deep Venous Thrombosis) detaches, travels through the right heart and lodges within the pulmonary circulation.
- Systemic Thromboemboli
- These occur more rarely and largely when a mural thrombus detaches and enters the systemic circulation
- Deposition in branches of the carotid artery can lead to cerebral infarction
- Deposition in branches of the mesenteric artery can lead to acute Ischemic Bowel Disease
- Deposition in branches of the renal artery can lead to renal infarction
- Paradoxical Thromboemboli
- These are a special class of thromboemboli which originate in the venous system but curiously deposit in the systemic circulation. It is thought that the emboli must pass through some sort of right-left Shunt such as a atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale.