thromboembolism

thromboembolism /throm·bo·em·bo·lism/ (-em´bo-lizm) obstruction of a blood vessel with thrombotic material carried by the blood from the site of origin to plug another vessel.

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throm·bo·em·bo·lism (thrmb-mb-lzm)

n.

Occlusion of a blood vessel due to a thrombus.

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Thromboembolism

A clot in the blood that forms and blocks a blood vessel. It can lead to infarction, or death of the surrounding tissue due to lack of blood supply.

Mentioned in: Splenectomy

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thromboembolism

[-em′bəliz′əm]

Etymology: Gk, thrombos + embolos, plug

a condition in which a blood vessel is obstructed by a blood clot (thrombus) carried in the bloodstream from its site of formation. The area supplied by an obstructed artery may tingle and become cold, numb, and cyanotic. Treatment includes quiet bed rest, warm wet packs, and anticoagulants to prevent the formation of additional thrombi. Embolectomy may be indicated, especially if the aorta or common iliac artery is obstructed. A thromboembolus in the lungs causes a sudden, sharp thoracic or upper abdominal pain, dyspnea, cough, fever, anxiety, hemoptysis, and associated electrocardiogram changes. Obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its main branches may be fatal. Thromboemboli are diagnosed by x-ray films, CT pulmonary angiograms, and other radiologic techniques, including lung scans and angiography.

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thromboembolism,

n a condition in which a blood vessel is blocked by an embolus carried in the bloodstream from the site of formation of the clot. The obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its main branches may be fatal. Emboli are diagnosed by radiographs and other radiologic techniques.

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thromboembolism

the lesion created by a thromboembolus. The exact form of the disease depends on the location of the thromboembolism, e.g. aortic, iliac, intestinal, pulmonary.