Arterial embolism. An analysis of 115 surgical procedures.

Arterial embolus is usually a serious complication of rheumatic or atherosclerotic heart disease. One hundred-fifteen surgical procedures performed in 86 patients with arterial emboli in a 10 years' period in the Department of Adult Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of our university are analyzed regarding the etiology, the treatment, and the results of this complication. Most of the patients were delayed cases showing mild to severe degrees of trophic, sensory and motor disturbances in the limbs without gangrene. These cases are also subjected to vascular surgery (removal of the embolus) as a chance to enable them to use their extremities in lieu of prosthese even when motor and sensory changes persist.