Arterial Embolism
Definition
Arterial embolism is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part. This is caused when the artery that supplies the blood to that organ or body part is blocked by an embolus (blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque) that has moved in the bloodstream from its point of origin to a new location.
The point of origin for the embolus can be the heart or a large blood vessel.
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