Emboli

An intravascular mass (thrombus, fat droplet, air bubble, tumor fragment, or other material) that becomes detached from its site of origin and travels through the circulation to occlude a distant blood vessel, resulting in impaired blood flow, tissue ischemia, and potentially infarction.

Causes

• Thromboembolism

  • Deep vein thrombosis

  • Pulmonary embolism

  • Atrial fibrillation

  • Left ventricular thrombus

  • Prosthetic heart valves

• Fat embolism

  • Long bone or pelvic fractures

  • Orthopedic surgery

  • Liposuction

  • Bone marrow transplantation

• Air or gas embolism

  • Trauma

  • Surgery

  • Central venous catheter placement or removal

  • Scuba diving (decompression illness)

• Tumor embolism

  • Malignant tumors invading the vasculature

  • Tumor fragmentation during disease progression or intervention

• Amniotic fluid embolism

  • Labor and delivery

  • Cesarean section

  • Obstetric complications

• Foreign material embolism

  • Fragmented medical equipment

  • Intravascular catheter fragments

  • Embolization of injected foreign substances

• Other causes

  • Septic emboli from infective endocarditis

  • Cholesterol crystal embolism (atheroembolism)