Embolism (Embolus/Emboli) (***)

• Thrombus (blood clot) — most common

• Vegetation (endocarditis)

• Fat (long-bone fractures)

• Air

• Amniotic fluid (rare)

Why it matters clinically:

• Can cause stroke, pulmonary embolism, organ infarction

• In endocarditis, valve vegetations can break off → septic emboli