- Thrombotic vascular lesions
- Fat embolism
- Air embolism
- Which vessels can be affected by embolism and how does it manifest?
- Carotid embolism
- Occlusion of mesenteric vessels and renal artery
- Peripheral vascular occlusion
- Treatment and prevention of pathology
- Prevention and treatment of fat embolism
- Prevention and treatment of air embolism
- Amniotic fluid embolism
- Causes
- Treatment and prevention
Vascular embolism is a condition in which the lumen of a blood vessel is completely or partially blocked. This leads to disruption of blood supply, which causes oxygen starvation of tissues. If left untreated, they gradually die off as the cells stop receiving oxygen and nutrients. Vessel blockage can be caused by:
- blood clots;
- particles of adipose tissue;
- air bubbles;
- foreign objects.
Regardless of the cause, vascular embolism poses a threat to the health and life of the patient. This condition requires treatment, which can be conservative or surgical.
Thrombotic vascular lesions
It is the most common type of embolism and can occur with the following diseases:
- varicose veins;
- heart disease (heart attack, myocarditis, etc.);
- excess body weight;
- thrombophilia.
The risk of pathology increases with a hereditary predisposition to thrombosis, after extensive surgical interventions, when taking hormonal contraceptives, and low physical activity. The most dangerous for the patient are thrombotic lesions of the great vessels of the brain, kidneys and intestines. In this case, there is a direct threat to life due to the development of tissue necrosis of vital organs. If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the patient's life can be saved, but he may remain disabled.
If a blood clot occludes a peripheral vessel, gangrene of the limb may develop and amputation may become necessary. Thromboembolism of peripheral arteries is easier to diagnose, which helps prevent severe complications.
Pulmonary thromboembolism is very life-threatening. A blood clot can block the main trunk of the pulmonary artery or its branch. This condition occurs suddenly, and the pathology leads to a very rapid deterioration in the patient’s well-being. He develops cardiopulmonary failure, which ends in cardiac and respiratory arrest.
The main cause of the pathology is the migration of a blood clot from the veins of the lower extremities or pelvis.
Which doctor should I contact?
Embolism is treated by specialists of different profiles - it depends on the type and severity of the disease.
List of main doctors:
- phlebologist;
- angiosurgeon;
- cardiac surgeon;
- neurosurgeon;
- pulmonologist;
- ophthalmologist;
- resuscitator.
Fat embolism
Pathology occurs:
- when injecting oil solutions;
- for injuries and damage that are accompanied by bone fractures and vascular injury;
- with necrotic lesions of pancreatic tissue.
Lipid droplets enter the blood from the yellow bone marrow if the damaged bone is damaged or as a result of surgery. They are able to merge into a single whole and move with the bloodstream throughout the body. Having reached a certain size, the accumulation of adipose tissue particles blocks the lumen of the vessel. Most often, the pathology affects the tissues of the spinal cord, brain, heart, and lungs.
Air embolism
The pathology is characterized by blockage of the vessel with air or gas bubbles. The reason is:
- improper administration of intravenous injections;
- damage to large vessels;
- decompression sickness.
If a large vein is injured and the bleeding is not stopped in time, air can get inside and move with the blood along the arterial bed, which ultimately leads to a blockage. A type of air embolism is gas embolism, which is caused by the so-called decompression sickness. It develops in people who engage in scuba diving. If a person rises to the surface too quickly, the inhaled gas mixture does not have time to be absorbed. Air bubbles block the vessels and lead to embolism. The person may lose consciousness, and in severe cases, a stroke is possible.
Which vessels can be affected by embolism and how does it manifest?
Blockage of the lumen can occur in any vessel. Depending on the location of the pathology, its symptoms vary. Signs of arterial embolism are:
- a sharp drop in blood pressure;
- irregular pulse and breathing;
- sweating;
- pallor;
- chest pain that radiates to neighboring areas of the body;
- weakness, dizziness;
- loss of consciousness.
Carotid embolism
Signs of pathology are:
- weakness and dizziness;
- headache;
- deterioration in coordination of movements;
- fainting state.
Occlusion of mesenteric vessels and renal artery
In this case, the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are affected. The pathology is manifested by severe abdominal pain, bloating, loose stools mixed with blood, and impaired intestinal motility.
If there is a blockage of the renal artery, the patient experiences severe pain in the lower back. The functioning of the kidney is disrupted, which causes difficulty urinating until it completely stops, and blood is released in the urine.
Peripheral vascular occlusion
Embolism of the arteries of the extremities leads to pain in the affected area, which is accompanied by spasms and muscle cramps. Due to impaired blood supply, the skin turns pale. Trophic ulcers appear on the surface - non-healing wounds that can lead to gangrene.
Diagnosis of arterial thrombosis and arterial embolism
In our department of vascular surgery, the diagnosis of arterial thrombosis and arterial embolism is performed in accordance with the highest medical standards. Diagnostic measures include:
· collection of anamnesis and analysis of patient complaints;
· visual inspection;
· a number of laboratory tests;
· performing ultrasound examination of blood vessels;
angiography;
· computed tomography using a contrast agent.
Based on the results of the studies, the degree of the disease is determined: first degree (A, B), second degree (A, B) or third degree (A, B). After making an accurate diagnosis, our specialists decide on further treatment tactics.
Treatment and prevention of pathology
Treatment of the disease depends on its type. A treatment protocol has been developed for each type of pathology. It is aimed at normalizing vital functions and eliminating the cause that led to blockage of the vessel.
Conservative therapy includes taking medications:
- anticoagulants;
- glycosides;
- fibronolytics;
- glucocorticosteroids.
If the pathology occurs due to injury or infection, antibiotics are prescribed.
A patient with thromboembolism is prescribed ozone therapy, which eliminates the lack of oxygen in tissues and has a bactericidal effect.
If drug therapy is not effective enough, surgery is performed to remove the blood clot. To prevent thromboembolism, it is necessary to regularly monitor blood clotting parameters. There is a special analysis for this - a coagulogram. If necessary, a patient at high risk of thrombosis should take anticoagulants.
Varicose veins and heart disease are factors that provoke thrombotic damage to the arteries. If you have such diseases, it is important to monitor your condition and undergo timely treatment.
Prevention and treatment of fat embolism
In case of fat embolism, the patient needs to be hospitalized in the intensive care unit and connected to a ventilator. Drug therapy involves taking drugs that dissolve fatty particles. The patient is also prescribed anticoagulants, cardiac glycosides, and oxygen therapy.
To prevent fat embolism, it is necessary to eliminate factors that could cause lipid particles to enter the blood. In case of fractures, it is important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible, correctly fix the injured limb, monitor the patient’s condition, and control blood pressure.
Prevention and treatment of air embolism
If there are signs of pathology, the patient needs emergency care. He is fitted with a venous catheter for air aspiration and connected to an artificial respiration apparatus. To eliminate tissue hypoxia, oxygen instillations and hyperbaric oxygenation are performed.
To prevent air embolism, scuba divers must strictly follow safety rules when ascending from depth to the surface in order to prevent decompression sickness. The pathology can be caused by air entering an injured blood vessel, so it is important to promptly provide medical care to patients with such injuries and monitor their health.
When injecting drugs into a vein, it is important to follow safety requirements to avoid air bubbles entering the vessel.
Possible reasons
The reasons for the formation of blood clots and emboli in the arteries can be divided into several groups:
· pathological changes in the walls of the arteries (endarteritis, atherosclerosis, vasculitis);
· changes in blood flow that occur with aneurysms, vascular stenosis, as well as their damage (bending, compression, etc.);
· diseases that negatively affect blood clotting.
The source of arterial thromboembolism often becomes the heart in the presence of pathologies associated with cardiac arrhythmias, left ventricular aneurysm, endocarditis, etc.
Also, the formation of blood clots may be preceded by a surgical operation to replace the valve apparatus with an artificial prosthesis.
Another common source of the disease are vessels with atherosclerotic plaques.
In the development of arterial thrombosis and embolism, special attention should be paid to the functional neurovascular factor. The human central nervous system is directly involved in the regulation of blood circulation in certain areas, which is why nervous shocks and disorders often cause disturbances in coronary and cerebral circulation.
Amniotic fluid embolism
Amniotic fluid embolism is a pathological condition in pregnant women. It occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream. This liquid contains prostaglandins and other components, the effect of which causes an anaphylactoid reaction.
Pathology manifests itself in the following forms:
- swelling of the lung tissue with the development of acute respiratory failure;
- cardiac shock, which is characterized by a thread-like rapid pulse, a sharp decrease in pressure, nausea and vomiting, pallor, bluish skin, loss of consciousness;
- convulsive syndrome, which affects all muscle groups;
- hemorrhagic bleeding from the nose and mouth, vagina;
- multiple organ failure, which manifests itself as a disruption in the functioning of the main organs and systems.
Causes
Amniotic fluid can enter the bloodstream of a pregnant woman if the pressure inside the uterus increases, the pressure in the veins of the uterus decreases, or if the vessels that contact the amniotic sac are damaged.
Risk factors are:
- multiple pregnancy or high fetal weight;
- breech presentation of the fetus;
- polyhydramnios;
- low elasticity of the cervix;
- rapid labor;
- individual anatomical features of the birth canal.
The development of embolism against the background of a decrease in venous pressure can occur in patients with diabetes mellitus, heart defects, and preeclampsia. Women with low vascular tone due to frequent childbirth and patients taking diuretics and antihypertensive drugs are susceptible to pathology.
The entry of amniotic fluid into the blood due to damage to the amniotic sac and vascular injury occurs during placental abruption, careless cesarean section or embryotomy - an operation to remove the fetus through the birth canal in the event of intrauterine death.
Treatment and prevention
In case of amniotic fluid embolism, a woman needs urgent medical care, which is aimed at eliminating the anaphylactoid reaction. First of all, oxygen therapy is used, which consists of connecting the patient to an artificial respiration apparatus and using oxygen instillations. To normalize hemostasis, blood products, blood replacement fluids, and high doses of glucocorticosteroids are used.
If the above measures lead to a positive result, delivery is possible naturally through the birth canal. If there is no improvement, an urgent caesarean section is required. To prevent amniotic fluid embolism, it is important to avoid conditions that can lead to such a pathology. It is important to visit your doctor in a timely manner to monitor the progress of pregnancy and eliminate uterine hypertonicity. In the case of placental insufficiency and other pathological conditions, it is necessary to take timely measures aimed at preventing embolism.
Disease prevention
To avoid embolism, eliminate factors that negatively affect blood circulation.
Prevention methods:
- control your weight;
- treat infectious pathologies in a timely manner;
- avoid physical inactivity;
- stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
- spend more time outdoors;
- For varicose veins of the lower extremities, wear compression garments.
If your blood viscosity is high, take heparin-based medications to prevent blood clots; your doctor will determine the dosage and duration of the course.
Products to improve blood circulation - hot peppers, onions, garlic, pomegranate and citrus fruits, cinnamon, fatty fish, beets, turmeric, herbs.
Embolism is a dangerous, rapidly progressing disease in which the lumens in the vessels are blocked and circulatory failure occurs. It is often a consequence of inattention to one’s own health - undergo a preventive examination, monitor basic blood counts 1-2 times a year. With timely diagnosis, drug therapy is carried out; in severe cases, surgery cannot be avoided; there is a high probability of death.
