the excessive accumulation of bile acids in the blood that accompanies biliary stasis or impairment of liver function; it is chiefly found in conjunction with mechanical obstruction of the bile ducts. Cholemia is accompanied by jaundice. Symptoms include pruritus, bradycardia, low blood pressure, and anemia. If cholemia is caused by a mechanical obstruction to the discharge of bile—roentgenographically shown by means of cholangiography—the obstruction should be promptly removed by surgery.