thromboembolism

Last reviewed 01/2018

Thromboembolism describes the situation of a blood thrombus, or a part of a thrombus, detaching from its site of origin and moving to another point in the circulation. Frequently, the thrombus causes ischaemic damage at its new location as it blocks the passage of blood through an arterial vessel.

A classic example is the dislodgement of deep vein thrombus from the leg to impact in the vessels of the lung: pulmonary (thrombo)embolism. Other examples of thromboembolism and their treatment are considered individually in the embolism section.

Atherosclerosis predisposes to thromboembolism.