Arterial embolism has been recognized as a surgical entity since before the turn-of-this century. Arterial emboli were extracted directly with polyethylene catheter suction systems or, retrograde flushing till Fogarty introduced the balloon catheter for removal of arterial emboli in 1963.
Since the introduction of the balloon catheter for the management of arterial emboli, the overall results of arterial embolectomy have improved greatly. The Fogarty balloon catheter simplifies the procedure of embolectomy, diminishes markedly the risk of operative failure; and often extends the arbitrary time- for performing a successful embolectomy.
Despite innovations in therapeutic methods, the Fogarty balloon catheter, by pass grafts and so on, mortality remains high because of the serious nature of underlying cardiac disease, while amputation rates have progressively decreased. Peripheral arterial emboli continues to be a common, clinical occurrence because of, the aging of population and prompt hospitalization:
Authors experienced three instances of arterial embolism due to atrial, fibrillation recently in, St. Mary´s Hospital of Catholic Medical College, and report the cases with review of arterial embolism.
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