Cholesterol embolism

Cholesterol embolism
Other namesCholesterol crystal embolism, atheroembolism, blue toe, purple toe syndrome, trash foot, warfarin blue toe syndrome[1]: 338 
Micrograph showing a cholesterol embolus in a medium sized artery of the kidney. Kidney biopsy. H&E stain.
SpecialtyCardiology Edit this on Wikidata

Cholesterol embolism occurs when cholesterol is released, usually from an atherosclerotic plaque, and travels as an embolus in the bloodstream to lodge (as an embolism) causing an obstruction in blood vessels further away. Most commonly this causes skin symptoms (usually livedo reticularis), gangrene of the extremities and sometimes kidney failure; problems with other organs may arise, depending on the site at which the cholesterol crystals enter the bloodstream.[2] When the kidneys are involved, the disease is referred to as atheroembolic renal disease.[3] The diagnosis usually involves biopsy (removing a tissue sample) from an affected organ. Cholesterol embolism is treated by removing the cause and giving supportive therapy; statin drugs have been found to improve the prognosis.[2]

  1. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
  2. ^ a b Scolari F, Ravani P, Gaggi R, et al. (July 2007). "The challenge of diagnosing atheroembolic renal disease: clinical features and prognostic factors". Circulation. 116 (3): 298–304. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.680991. PMID 17606842.
  3. ^ Modi KS, Rao VK (August 2001). "Atheroembolic renal disease". J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 12 (8): 1781–7. doi:10.1681/ASN.V1281781. PMID 11461954.