Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and improving the interrupted blood flow to the affected area of the body. Medications include: * Antithrombotic medication. These are commonly given because thromboembolism is the major cause of<unk> . Examples are: * Anticoagulants (such as warfarin or heparin) and antiplatelet medication (such as aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel) can prevent new clots from forming * Thrombolytics (such as streptokinase) can dissolve clots * Painkillers given intravenously * Vasodilators to relax and dilate blood vessels. Appropriate drug treatments successfully produce thrombolysis and removal of the clot in 50% to 80% of all cases. Antithrombotic agents may be administered directly onto the clot in the vessel using a flexible catheter (intra-arterial thrombolysis). Intra-arterial thrombolysis reduces thromboembolic occlusion by 95% in 50% of cases, and restores adequate blood flow in 50% to 80% of cases. Surgical procedures include: *<unk>  bypass surgery to create another source of blood supply * Embolectomy, to remove the embolus, with various techniques available: * Thromboaspiration * Angioplasty with balloon catheterization with or without implanting a stent Balloon catheterization or open embolectomy surgery reduces mortality by nearly 50% and the need for limb amputation by approximately 35%. * Embolectomy by open surgery on the artery If extensive necrosis and gangrene has set in an arm or leg, the limb may have to be amputated. Limb amputation is in itself usually remarkably well-tolerated, but is associated with substantial mortality (~50%), primarily because of the severity of the diseases in patients where it is indicated.
Arterial embolism
Paradoxical embolism
Cholesterol embolism
Septic embolism
Carotid artery dissection
Embolism
Coronary thrombosis
Post-thrombotic syndrome