title: Hydrophilic polymer microemboli in a patient with a chronic cutaneous ulcer: a case report.
abstract: Hydrophilic polymer coatings were designed to reduce friction between the catheter and vessel wall and facilitate intravascular manipulations during catheterization and placement of drug-eluting stents. One newly reported complication of such hydrophilic coatings is the fragmentation and embolization of the polymer, which can lead to ischemia and infarct by blocking the small vasculature. In this report, we present a patient with a non-healing ulcer on the leg. Biopsy from the ulcer revealed the presence of hydrophilic polymer emboli within the dermal vessels. This is one of the few reports of such a complication involving the skin. Our objective is to emphasize the histopathologic features of this uncommon iatrogenic phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sepehr
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hamidi
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: DeClerck
authors.forename: Gene H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077723:Cefepime; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D000077723:Cefepime
keywords: cardiac catheterization; foreign body; hydrophilic polymer emboli; iatrogenic disease; intravascular devices