EMBOLISM

embolus

detached intravascular solid, liquid, or gaseous mass that is carried by the blood from its point of origin to a distant site, where it often causes tissue dysfunction or infarction.

thromboembolism.

The vast majority of emboli are dislodged thrombi hence

Pulmonary embolism

Originate from Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and are the most common form of thromboembolic disease.

systemic emboli

arise from intracardiac mural thrombi.

fat embolism

Presence of microscopic fat globules - sometimes with associated hematopoietic bone marrow

Fat embolism syndrome

characterized by pulmonary insufficiency, neurologic symptoms, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, and is fatal in 5% to 15% cases.

Thrombocytopenia

can be attributed to platelet adhesion to fat globules and subsequent aggregation.

air embolism

may occur when there is communication between the vasculature and outside air, and a negative pressure gradient that sucks in the air.

Amniotic fluid embolism

fifth most common cause of maternal mortality

worldwide; it accounts for roughly 10% of maternal deaths in the US and results

in the permanent neurologic deficit as many as 85% of survivors.