title: Systemic cholesterol crystal embolisation with pulmonary involvement: a fatal combination after coronary angiography.
abstract: Cholesterol crystal embolisation (CCE) is a rare but serious complication of invasive arterial procedures associated with a high mortality, and is a condition that medical staff undertaking invasive vascular procedures should be aware of. It is manifest as a multisystem disorder commonly involving the kidneys and peripheries, but rarely affecting the lungs. A case of fatal CCE with pulmonary involvement is reported, and similar published case reports are reviewed. The pathogenesis of lung involvement in CCE is unclear, but the combination is reported to be invariably fatal.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, County Hospital, Greetwell Road, Lincoln LN2 5QY, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Samani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003460:Crystallization; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*