thromboembolism /-em″bəliz′əm/ [Gk, thrombos + embolos, plug] , a condition in which a blood vessel is obstructed by a blood clot (thrombus) carried in the bloodstream from its site of formation. The area supplied by an obstructed artery may tingle and become cold, numb, and cyanotic. Treatment includes quiet bed rest, warm wet packs, and anticoagulants to prevent the formation of additional thrombi. Embolectomy may be indicated, especially if the aorta or common iliac artery is obstructed. A thromboembolus in the lungs causes a sudden, sharp thoracic or upper abdominal pain, dyspnea, cough, fever, anxiety, hemoptysis, and associated electrocardiogram changes. Obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its main branches may be fatal. Thromboemboli are diagnosed by x-ray films, CT pulmonary angiograms, and other radiological techniques, including lung scans and angiography.
