Blood clots

Definition

Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood. A blood clot that forms in a vessel or within the heart and remains there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that travels from the vessel or heart chamber where it formed to another location in the body is called an embolus, and the disorder, an embolism (for example, pulmonary embolism).

Sometimes a piece of atherosclerotic plaque small pieces of tumor, fat globules, air, amniotic fluid, or other materials can act in the same manner as an embolus.

For more information, see the following:

• Arterial embolism
• Pulmonary embolism
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Renal vein thrombosis
• Atheroembolic renal disease
• Thrombophlebitis
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Angina

Alternative Names