• ATE is an umbrella term for ischemic stokes, ACS, acute mesenteric ischemia, acute limb ischemia etc.
• ATE can be defined as blood clots that form within the arterial vascular system, dislodge and travel to a distant location.
• ATE is usually an acute event which causes ischemic tissue damage.
• Hypercoagulable state (thrombophilia).

Demographics

• Incidence increases with age.
• M > F.
• Higher rates in Indigenous population vs non-Indigenous.

Aetiology

(RFs again)

Pathophysiology: blood clot occluding artery and blocking blood flow → ischemia, possibly resulting in infarction with tissue necrosis.

Risk Factors

• Atrial fibrillation.
• MI
• Diseased (i.e. RHD) or prosthetic heart valves.