Pathology 6.4 - Emboli and Infarcts

What are the different causes/types of Emboli?

• 1. Thromboemboli - clot

• 2. Liquid Emboli: fat

• 3. Gaseous Emboli: decompression

• 4. Solid particle; everything else (cholesterol, tumor, bone marrow)

What are Arterial Emboli?

• Blocks blood flow of the vessel

• Most common thrombi encountered

• Site: peripheral circulation (CNS, organs)

• Outcome: organ-specific

  • Kidneys = infarct in kidneys; GI = infarct in GI system, etc

• Former: mural, valvular, atherosclerosis

What are Venous Emboli?

• Site: pulmonary circulation except paradoxical outcome

• Partial lung infarct (blocks some blood flow to a part of our lung tissue)

• Saddle embolus formed in DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and posterior knee

thats it