What is the most common cause of arterial embolization?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of arterial embolization due to its association with the formation of thrombi in the left atrium, particularly in the left atrial appendage. In patients with atrial fibrillation, the irregular and rapid heartbeat can cause blood stasis, leading to the development of blood clots. Once formed, these clots can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream, resulting in embolic events that can occlude arterial circulation, typically affecting the brain (leading to an ischemic stroke) or other organs.

Rheumatic heart disease, while it can lead to embolic events, is more associated with valve stenosis and regurgitation, which may not produce clots as frequently as atrial fibrillation does. Myxoma, a primary cardiac tumor, can also cause embolization but is a much less common condition. Venous thrombosis usually leads to complications such as pulmonary embolism rather than arterial embolization, as clots from veins travel to the pulmonary circulation rather than the systemic arteries. Understanding these mechanisms highlights why atrial fibrillation stands out as the predominant risk factor for arterial embolization.