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Medical Encyclopedia

Arterial embolism

An embolism is a clot that travels from the site where it formed to another location in the body. The embolism can lodge in an artery at the new location and block the flow of blood there. The blockage deprives the tissues in that location of its normal blood flow and oxygen. This can result in damage, destruction, or even death of the tissues (necrosis) in that organ. Arterial embolism requires prompt treatment, usually with hospitalization.

Update Date: 5/8/2008

Updated by: Sean O. Stitham, MD, Private Practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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