[Retinal cholesterol embolization after coronary angiography].
METHODS
We report a patient with multiple cholesterol retinal embolism in both eyes following coronary angiography. She also had associated renal, skin and cardiac manifestations of the Cholesterol Embolization Syndrome (CES) and died 10 weeks later. Autopsy revealed cholesterol crystal emboli in several organs.


CONCLUSIONS
Atheromatous plaques can be ruptured and displaced during a diagnostic catheterisation, and thus can be a potential source of these massive emboli. Retinal cholesterol crystals help to establish the diagnosis of the syndrome, particularly when other systemic manifestations exist. When this complication occurs, the prognosis can be devastating because of associated multiorgan failure.
Sampedro
A
A
Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Asturias, España. ansalmo@hotmail.com
Pinto
J
J
Guerediaga
J
J
Blanco
V R
VR
Domínguez
B
B
Barbón
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male