Calixtro, Laidelle Jascinth M.

BSN-III

NARRATIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ARTERIAL OCCLUSION

Arterial Occlusion is a blockage of blood flow through an artery. A sudden arterial

occlusion causes profound and often irreversible tissue ischemia and tissue death (Cheever,
K & Hinkle, J. 2018). Acute arterial occlusion is time-sensitive and left untreated can quickly
progress to infarction and loss of limb and life. Acute arterial occlusion is associated with
increased morbidity, significant disability, and emergent operation in high-risk patients. Atrial
fibrillation, Myocardial infarction, Infective endocarditis, Chronic heart failure, Atherosclerosis,
Iatrogenic injury, Rupture, and thrombosis of an atherosclerotic plaque, Embolus from the
heart or thoracic or abdominal aorta are the etiological factors. Moreover, the risk factors of a
patient involve age, smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of vascular
diseases, high cholesterol, high blood pressure.

The pathophysiology of this disorder begins when the etiologic factors affects the
arteries. Arterial emboli develop in the chambers of the heart, the thrombi become detached
and are carried from the left side of the heart into the arterial system. Thrombi become lodged
in and obstruct an artery that is smaller than the embolus. Blockage progresses distal and
proximal to the site of the obstruction. The embolus can fragment or break apart, resulting in
occlusion of distal vessels. Occlusion of distal vessels occurs which results to poor collateral
flow in the extremities. This disorder may also start from Platelet-rich thrombus formation over
a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque. Damaged arterial wall, results generally from the
atherosclerosis. Cessation of blood flow occurs, resulting into poor collateral flow in the
extremities. The client may manifest symptoms such as; Paralysis, Absent pulse, Pallor, Pain,
Coldness, and Paresthesia. Unmanaged arterial occlusion of the patient may result to
complications such as; Necrosis, Gangrene, Internal bleeding, Stroke, Myocardial infarction,
and death.

Prognosis is not good. Acute arterial occlusion has high morbidity and mortality. The
outcomes for patients with an acutely ischemic limb due to arterial occlusion are guarded.
Even if the limb is salvaged, these patients have other comorbidities, which can lead to a heart
attack, renal failure, stroke, or wound infection. Unless an interprofessional team is involved,
the mortality for these individuals remains high.

REFERENCES:

Acute Peripheral Arterial Occlusion By Koon K. Teo, By, Teo, K., & Last full review/revision
Jul 2019| Content last modified Jul 2019. (n.d.). Acute Peripheral Arterial Occlusion -
Cardiovascular Disorders. Retrieved December 01, 2020, from
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/peripheral-
arterial-disorders/acute-peripheral-arterial-occlusion

Cheever, K. H., & Hinkle, J. L. (2018). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical
nursing. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
 Smith DA, Lilie CJ. Acute Arterial Occlusion. [Updated 2020 Nov 20]. In: StatPearls
[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441851/