Embolism is what? Embolism: Species

There are many processes that are dangerous for the human body. One of them is embolism. This condition can not only harm normal life, but also lead to death. The most dangerous are thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery (PE), as well as blockage of the vessels of the heart and brain. All these conditions lead to severe disabilities and cause death of patients. Embolism is a condition that is very difficult to diagnose, which is why doctors often do not notice this process. The consequences to which she leads, in most cases come instantly, because of what first aid is not always possible to provide. Causes of embolism can be different, most often it is diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory system, obesity. Sometimes this process occurs due to injuries.

Embolism - what does it mean?

This pathological condition implies the closure of the lumen of the vessel by some substance, which is carried over the body with a blood stream. In translation from the Greek language, "embolism" is an "invasion" or an "insertion". The occlusion of the vessel arises regardless of which substance is in its lumen. Embolus can serve as parts of a thrombus, air, drops of fat and even amniotic fluid. All this interferes with normal blood flow, resulting in a lack of oxygen entering the tissues of the body - hypoxia. This process can lead to ischemia of any organ. The greatest danger is the embolism of the artery, supplying the lungs with blood, brain or heart. In addition, foreign substances can enter the lymphatic vessels, disrupting the outflow and leading to diseases. The consequences of this pathological condition depend on the caliber of the artery or vein, and also on the size of the embolus itself. Treatments are those cases when the damaging particles are small or the lumen of the vessel is not completely closed.

Causes of embolism

Depending on what substance is carried with the blood flow, several types of embolisms are isolated. Each of them, in turn, has a certain mechanism of development and etiology. The most common is thromboembolism, which develops in people suffering from chronic heart failure, who have had myocardial infarction or cerebral hemorrhage (stroke). Most of this variety are affected by patients who have varicose veins of the lower extremities, hemorrhoids, atherosclerosis.

Another common pathological process is gas embolism. The reason for its appearance is a sharp change in pressure. Exogenous factors leading to embolism include traumas that result in air entering the lumen of the vessels, pieces of body tissues, fat droplets, bone fragments. Rarely, there are cases when the substance, leading to a narrowing of the lumen of the vessel, become microbial particles, parasites, as well as cells of a disintegrating tumor.

What is amniotic fluid embolism?

This pathology is rare in obstetric practice. Ambolia with amniotic fluid refers to dangerous conditions and often leads to death. The causes of its occurrence can be: presentation or detachment of the placenta, improper development of the membranes of the fetus. Risk factors include polyhydramnios and a long generic process. Also, embolism may occur during cesarean delivery. The mechanism of its development is the penetration of amniotic fluid into the mother's bloodstream. After that, particles of amniotic water (meconium, damp grease) fall into the right atrium, and then into the pulmonary artery. As a result, embolism with amniotic fluid develops by the same mechanism as PE. The difference is that the blockage of the vessel is not torn off thrombus, but elements of meconium or drops of fat.

Mechanism of development of gas embolism

Gas embolism - this is another reason for the violation of blood flow along the vascular bed. This condition is an integral part of the caisson disease, which affects people who spend time at high altitude or under water. An increase in pressure leads to a change in the gas composition of the blood, in particular, to the accumulation of a large amount of nitrogen. The embolism of the vessels is observed if the person abruptly returns to the initial level. As a result, the accumulated nitrogen penetrates into the general bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. Normally, the gas should be emitted lightly, but this process occurs gradually, this must be borne in mind when climbing to a height and lowering deeply under the water.

Vascular thromboembolism: causes

The most common cause of embolism is thrombosis of the vessels. They appear due to endothelial dysfunction and the coagulating system of blood. Most patients with thrombosis have varicose veins, heart disease. The development of this type of embolism is often associated with suffered heart attacks and strokes, as in such patients blood thickening occurs due to rheological disorders. The mechanism of lesion consists in the separation of thrombotic masses from the vessel wall. They act in the role of an embolus. The severed part of the thrombus enters the bloodstream, closing the lumen and causing hypoxia.

Clinical picture in the development of embolism

The condition of the patient with embolism depends on the vessel in which the occlusion occurred. If it is the main arteries or veins, then the prognosis is most often unfavorable. The most dangerous are the damage of the vessels of the heart, lungs, brain, neck. Embolism can cause a violation of the blood supply of any organ, this will determine the symptomatology. When the vessels of the limbs are affected, their numbness and cold snap occur, and gangrene may develop. With embolism of the arteries of the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke occurs, which are characterized by severe pain and a violation of consciousness. With the development of PE, coughing, severe pain and choking develop, which often lead to death.

Principles of treatment of embolism

Any embolism is a condition that requires immediate treatment. Nevertheless, the approach to each kind of this pathological process is the same. Treatment should be aimed at preventing the embolus from entering large vessels. For this purpose, the arteries and veins are bandaged, as a result of which the blood flow in the affected area temporarily stops. In addition, surgical removal of the injurious substance is performed. Thrombosis and embolism, developing against their background, require drug treatment. For this purpose, drugs that promote blood thinning ("Heparin") and fibrinolytics ("Urokinase" medication) are used. For the prevention of embolism patients with cardiovascular pathologies should use antiplatelet agents (the drug "Aspirin"), as they prevent the formation of blood clots.