Cholesterol crystal embolization after cardiac operations. Report of two cases.
We report two cases of systemic cholesterol embolization after coronary bypass surgery under extracorporeal circulation. First clinical symptoms starting at 48-72 h after cardiac operation were severe abdominal pain and elevated ischemia associated blood parameters. In both patients a laparotomy was performed but fatal outcome due to multi-organ failure could not be avoided. The awareness of this often fatal complication is of great importance for the surgeon since prevention is the only effective treatment.
Vazquez-Jimenez
J F
JF
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Universitätsklinikum RWTH, Aachen, Germany. jvasquez-jimenez@post.klinikum.rwth-aachen.de
Pérez-Bouza
A
A
Liakopoulos
O J
OJ
Messmer
B J
BJ
D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation