Coronary Embolism

Abstract

Data were selected in a review of the literature from about 54 cases of coronary embolism. A majority of the cases were men between 30 and 40 years of age. The sources of the emboli were chiefly vegetations from bacterial endocarditis and cardiac thrombi from pre-existent heart disease. These 2 sources accounted for the majority of the emboli. The left coronary artery was involved most frequently, and the type of death was usually sudden. Coronary emboli almost always produce death. A comparison of the various factors involved in coronary emboli has been made with coronary thrombosis.