Embolus
Chapter: 12
Usually blood clots, most commonly arising in the legs, causing occlusion of pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary emboli cause infarcts only when the circulation is already inadequate, i.e. In patients with pre-existent heart or lung disease. A variety of underlying disorders predispose to pulmonary emboli, such as cardiac disease, cancer, immobilization, and hypercoaguable states. Pulmonary emboli lead to 2 main effects; 1) respiratory compromise due to underperfusion 2) hemodynamic compromise due to increased resistance to pulmonary blood flow.