Tromboembolismus

Tromboembolismus refers to a medical condition where a blood clot, known as a thrombus, forms in a blood vessel and then travels through the bloodstream, obstructing a distant vessel. This obstruction is called an embolism. The formation of a thrombus is often triggered by factors that slow blood flow, damage to the vessel wall, or a hypercoagulable state, where the blood is more prone to clotting.

When a piece of this thrombus breaks off, it becomes an embolus. This embolus can travel to various parts of the body. If it lodges in an artery supplying the brain, it can cause a stroke. If it blocks an artery in the lungs, it results in a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. Embolisms can also affect other organs, such as the heart (leading to a heart attack if it blocks a coronary artery) or the limbs, causing ischemia.

Symptoms of tromboembolismus vary depending on the location and size of the obstruction. Common signs can include sudden pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in an affected limb, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or neurological deficits like paralysis or speech difficulties. Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. Treatment aims to prevent further clot formation, dissolve existing clots, and manage the underlying cause. Anticoagulant medications are frequently used.