Arterial + Non-Thrombotic Emboli

What does an embolus ultimately cause at the destination vessel?

Vascular occlusion

What do you call an embolus derived from a thrombus?

Thromboembolus

What results when an arterial embolus lodges in a small artery?

Acute ischemia

What is the most common cause of arterial thromboemboli?

Atrial fibrillation

Which cardiac condition can form a mural thrombus source?

Myocardial infarction

What cardiac structural problem can source emboli?

Valvular disease

Which aortic pathology can release arterial emboli?

Aortic plaque

Which dilated aortic condition can source emboli?

Aortic aneurysm

What results from complete arterial occlusion?

Infarction

What results from partial arterial occlusion?

Hypoperfusion

What do multiple small emboli typically cause?

Microinfarcts

What results from lower extremity arterial occlusion?

Acute limb ischemia

What results from cerebral arterial occlusion?

Ischemic stroke

What results from mesenteric arterial occlusion?

Mesenteric ischemia

What can renal arterial occlusion cause?

Renal infarct

What can splenic arterial occlusion cause?

Splenic infarct

Which embolism follows long bone or pelvic fractures?

Fat embolism

What material enters blood in fat embolism syndrome?

Marrow fat

Which procedure commonly triggers fat embolism?

Orthopedic surgery

Which embolism involves intravascular gas bubbles?

Air embolism

What is the most common cause of air embolism?

Iatrogenic

Which air embolism travels to pulmonary arteries?

Venous air embolism

Which air embolism threatens brain or heart?

Arterial gas embolism

What diving or ventilation injury can cause air embolism?

Barotrauma

What defect can let venous air reach arteries?

Patent foramen ovale

What material triggers anaphylactoid reaction in pregnancy?

Amniotic fluid

What dramatic event occurs in amniotic fluid embolism?

Cardiopulmonary collapse

What severe blood disorder accompanies amniotic fluid embolism?

Coagulopathy

What embolus carries infection to distant organs?

Septic embolus

What complication can septic emboli cause in organs?

Abscess formation

What is the most common source of septic emboli?

Infective endocarditis

What embolus consists of cancer cell clusters?

Tumor embolus

What metastatic route do tumor emboli represent?

Hematogenous spread

In what disease stage are tumor emboli typical?

Advanced cancer

What embolus comes from atherosclerotic plaque debris?

Cholesterol embolus

What is another term for cholesterol embolus?

Atheroembolism

Besides blockage, what do cholesterol emboli provoke?

Inflammatory reaction

Which procedure commonly precipitates cholesterol emboli?

Angiography

Which vascular intervention can dislodge plaque debris?

Angioplasty

Which operation on the aorta can cause atheroembolism?

Cardiac surgery

What classic pattern defines acute limb ischemia?

Six Ps

In the “Six Ps,” what is the first hallmark symptom?

Pain

Which skin change reflects poor perfusion in acute limb ischemia?

Pallor

Which distal finding confirms severe arterial blockage?

Pulselessness

Which sensory symptom occurs in acute limb ischemia?

Paresthesia

Which motor deficit is a late ischemic sign?

Paralysis

Which temperature change marks the ischemic limb?

Poikilothermia

When do fat embolism symptoms typically appear post-injury?

12–72 hours

What is the most common early sign of fat embolism?

Hypoxemia

What brain manifestation occurs in fat embolism?

Neurologic dysfunction

What skin finding characterizes fat embolism?

Petechial rash

What precordial sound suggests venous air embolism?

Mill-wheel murmur

What presentation suggests arterial gas embolism?

Stroke-like symptoms

What defining combination occurs in amniotic fluid embolism?

Shock with DIC

What postpartum uterine finding can follow amniotic fluid embolism?

Uterine atony

What pattern distinguishes septic emboli clinically?

Fever with stroke

What lung imaging finding suggests septic emboli?

Cavitating nodules

What painful skin lesions are linked to septic emboli?

Osler nodes

What non-tender skin macules occur with endocarditis?

Janeway lesions

What symptom suggests pulmonary tumor embolism?

Dyspnea

What vascular change can tumor emboli cause?

Pulmonary hypertension

What therapy typically does not help tumor emboli?

Anticoagulation failure

What skin sign suggests cholesterol emboli to digits?

Blue toe syndrome

What lacy skin pattern suggests atheroembolism?

Livedo reticularis

What lab change indicates renal cholesterol emboli?

Creatinine rise

What retinal finding indicates cholesterol emboli?

Hollenhorst plaques

What test assesses arterial flow loss in acute occlusion?

Doppler ultrasound

What imaging identifies arterial occlusion sites?

CTA or MRA

What test screens for atrial fibrillation as an embolic source?

Electrocardiogram

What imaging detects mural thrombus or cardiac source?

Echocardiogram

What lab suggests tissue ischemia?

Lactate elevation

How is fat embolism syndrome primarily diagnosed?

Clinical diagnosis

What chest imaging pattern suggests fat embolism?

Snowstorm pattern

What brain MRI pattern suggests fat embolism?

Starfield pattern

What is essential to diagnose air embolism after procedures?

High suspicion

What finding on CT or echo supports air embolism?

Visualized air

What intra-operative change can signal air embolism?

End-tidal CO2 drop

How is amniotic fluid embolism diagnosed acutely?

Diagnosis of exclusion

What test identifies organisms in septic emboli?

Blood cultures

What study best detects valvular vegetations?

Transesophageal echo

What imaging finding supports septic emboli?

Abscess on CT

What intravascular CT finding suggests tumor embolus?

Enhancing mass

What provides definitive tumor embolus diagnosis?

Histologic confirmation

What is the gold standard for cholesterol emboli?

Tissue biopsy