Possible consequences of emboli include
A) cerebral vascular accident (CVA).
B) MI.
C) pulmonary venous obstruction.
D) all of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Emboli are clots of aggregated material (usually blood). They can lodge in blood vessels and inhibit blood flow. Treatment depends on the area of involvement. Treatment of pulmonary embolism (see Chapter 9), MI, and CVA (see Chapter 13) is aggressive and immediate if the patient is to survive. The treatment of a patient with arterial emboli in an extremity is also aggressive and immediate to prevent the death of tissue and eventual gangrene. Blood flow is reestablished to the affected part by lowering the limb, wrapping it to maintain warmth to the area, and treating any constriction of blood vessels. Heparin or enoxaparin [Lovenox] are administered to deter further clot formation, and antispasmodic drugs are given for vascular spasms. If this therapy is not successful, surgical intervention may be indicated to remove the obstruction and to restore circulation. In another option, a thrombolytic drug (such as urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, tenecteplase, alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase), can be administered via a central catheter directly into the spot of the coronary embolism to break down the emboli. The prognosis varies and depends on the location of the emboli. When the emboli are in an extremity, aggressive treatment and/or surgical intervention usually are successful.

Possible Consequences of Emboli Include