Arterial embolism requires prompt hospitalization for treatment. The goals of treatment are to control symptoms and to improve the interrupted blood flow to the affected area of the body. Intravenous analgesics are administered for pain control.

Medications that improve blood flow by breaking up the clot are local thrombolytics (such as streptokinase). The development of new clots is prevented with anticoagulants (such as warfarin or heparin) or antiplatelet medications (such as aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel).

Surgical procedures may be appropriate for some people. These may include thromboaspiration (clot aspiration), embolectomy (clot removal through a balloon catheter or through open surgery), angioplasty (dilatation of the artery with a balloon catheter) with or without implantation of a stent, and bypass of the blood vessel.

The underlying cause of the emboli, if identified, should be treated to prevent further embolization.

The outcome varies depending on the location of the embolism and the extent that the embolism affects blood supply to the area. Arterial embolism can be serious if not treated promptly. It may be life-threatening, with a 25 to 30% death rate.

The affected area can be permanently damaged, with up to approximately 25% of cases requiring amputation of an affected extremity. Arterial emboli can recur even after successful treatment.

• infection in the affected tissue
• tissue death (necrosis) and gangrene of the extremity (See gas gangrene.) requiring amputation
• septic shock
• acute MI
• transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• stroke (CVA)
• temporary or permanent kidney failure
• temporary or permanent decrease/loss of other organ functions