Embolus
Particle carried by the blood stream until it reaches a vessel too narrow to pass. The embolus may block the vessel partly or completely. The embolus may consist of plastic particles from catheters, guide wires or syringes, it may be an air bubble, material dislodged from plaques during catheter or guide wire manipulation or it may be thrombus material from catheters, guide wires or from vessel walls (thromboembolism).Thromboembolism is a feared complication in major surgery and has been a major risk since the very start of angiographic and angioplasty procedures. The only way to minimise the risk of thromboembolism in diagnostic/interventional procedures is to use an optimal technique, keeping procedure time as short as possible and to flush the catheter frequently. In procedures with particularly high risk of thromboembolism, e.g. in interventional procedures (PTCA and PTA) adequate anticoagulant treatment should be used throughout the procedure. See also clot
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