Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Chinese patients with cholesterol crystal embolism after coronary intervention.
BACKGROUND
Cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is a complication of atherosclerosis. Vascular surgery, vascular angiography, and anticoagulation have been identified as inciting factors.


OBJECTIVE
This paper sought to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with CCE after percutaneous coronary intervention.


METHODS
Six patients with atherosclerosis presenting with simultaneous occurrence of acute renal failure and peripheral ischemic changes were diagnosed with CCE and their clinical data were analyzed.


RESULTS
The average age of the patients was 72 years. Most had risk factors of atherosclerosis such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. The levels of serum creatinine increased progressively after coronary angiography. All patients had concomitant skin lesions, including blue toes. Cholesterol crystal emboli were found in arterioles by cutaneous biopsy in one patient. All patients received statins and two of these received dialysis therapy. Three patients died and three remained in chronic renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Since CCE is a severe complication of coronary intervention, special attention should be paid to this disease.
Meng
Lei
L
Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China. leimeng@public3.bta.net.cn
Huo
Yong
Y
Ho
Wa
W
Liu
Zhao-Ping
ZP
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002681:China; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin