Final answer:
Arterial occlusion can lead to life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. These occur when an embolus, often from a thrombus or plaque rupture, blocks crucial blood vessels, leading to organ damage or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arterial occlusion, including conditions like embolus, thrombosis, or trauma, presents as a blockage in an artery which can have severe consequences for major organs. An embolus is a portion of a thrombus that breaks free and can become trapped, resulting in an embolism. This phenomenon can lead to critical medical emergencies such as a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism (PE). If the embolism occurs in coronary arteries, it can lead to ischemia and hypoxia, potentially causing myocardial infarction (heart muscle death) if left untreated.
An ischemic stroke can happen when an embolus blocks blood flow to part of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen. Immediate treatment is essential to prevent permanent damage. Obstructive shock can also occur, when a significant portion of the vascular system is obstructed, most commonly by a pulmonary embolism, which interrupts blood flow to the lungs and can have serious or fatal consequences.