EMBOLISM CAUSES |
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Arterial emboli are usually a complication of heart disease where
blood clots form in the heart's chambers. Gas emboli are caused by
rapid changes in environmental pressure that could happen when
flying or scuba diving. A pulmonary embolism is caused by blood
clots that travel through the blood stream to the lungs and block a
pulmonary artery. More than 90% of the cases of pulmonary embolism
are a complication of deep vein thrombosis, which typically occurs
in patients who have had orthopedic surgery, in patients with cancer
and other chronic illnesses like congestive heart failure.
Risk factors for arterial and pulmonary emboli include: prolonged
bed rest, surgery, childbirth, heart attack, stroke, congestive
heart failure, cancer, obesity, a broken hip or leg, oral
contraceptives, sickle cell anemia, chest trauma, certain congenital
heart defects, and old age. Risk factors for gas emboli include:
scuba diving, amateur plane flight, exercise, injury, obesity,
dehydration, excessive alcohol, colds, and medications such as
narcotics and antihistamines. |
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| EMBOLISM RELATED ITEMS |
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