Arterial embolism

Alternative names:

blood clot in an artery

Symptoms:

EMBOLIZATION IN AN EXTREMITY

• muscle pain in the extremity (see knee pain, foot pain)
• numbness and tingling in the extremity
• pale color of arm or leg
• decreased or absent pulse in the extremity
• decreased extremity temperature, the extremity feels cold to touch
• lack of movement of the extremity
• weakness of the extremity
• muscle spasm in the extremity
• body feels cool (fingers or hands)
• muscle function loss

Symptoms may begin abruptly or slowly depending on the size of the embolus and the extent to which it blocks the blood flow.

Later symptoms:

• blisters develop easily
• skin erosion (ulcer)
• skin necrosis (skin is dark and damaged)
• skin falling off (sloughing)

EMBOLI IN AN INTERNAL ORGAN (see complications)

• symptoms of ischemia (lack of oxygen)
  • usually pain and/or temporary decreased function

• symptoms of infarction (tissue death)
  • usually pain and/or loss of function of all or part of the organ

Signs and tests:

There may be decreased or absent pulse, and/or decreased or absent blood pressure in the extremity. There may be signs of tissue necrosis or gangrene.

Tests that reveal arterial embolism may include:
arteriography/angiography of the affected extremity or organ

• renal arteriography
• pulmonary angiography
• extremity arteriography
• ultrasound of the affected extremity or organ
• plethysmography
• a duplex Doppler/ultrasound exam of extremity
• a Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity
• echocardiography (occasionally)

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• platelet aggregation test
• isotope study
• fibrin degradation products
• factor VIII assay
• euglobulin lysis time
• cystography, retrograde
• cranial MRI