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A member asked:
What is an embolism? what causes it?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
Clot that travels: An embolism occurs when a clot (thrombus) that has formed in an artery or a vein that breaks off and travels (an embolus) to a distant vessel where it lodges and causes blockage of the vessel. If it starts in a vein and goes to the lungs, it is a pulmonary embolism. If an embolus travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. Anywhere there is a blood vessel, an embolism can occur.
Answered 2/27/2014
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