What condition may result from an embolism?

An embolism occurs when a substance, such as a blood clot, fat, air, or other debris, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel, blocking it. This blockage can lead to a localized area of tissue death due to a lack of blood supply, known as an infarct. Infarcts commonly result from the obstruction of arterial blood flow caused by an embolism.

Gangrene specifically refers to tissue death due to a lack of blood supply (ischemia) and is often the result of a prolonged infarct. However, it is more associated with severe cases where the necrosis has progressed significantly and may involve secondary infections. An embolism could eventually lead to gangrene if the affected area does not receive adequate blood supply, but that is a subsequent consequence, not a direct result of the embolism itself.

Abscesses are localized collections of pus that result from infection, which is separate from the immediate effects of an embolism. While an embolism might create an environment conducive to infection, it is not a direct condition that results from the blockage of blood flow.

Ecchymosis is a form of bleeding under the skin resulting in bruising, which does not directly relate to embolism or infarction but rather