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The Cholesterol Emboli Syndrome in Atherosclerosis

  • Coronary Heart Disease (JA Farmer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Cholesterol emboli syndrome is a relatively rare, but potentially devastating, manifestation of atherosclerotic disease. Cholesterol emboli syndrome is characterized by waves of arterio-arterial embolization of cholesterol crystals and atheroma debris from atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta or its large branches to small or medium caliber arteries (100–200 μm in diameter) that frequently occur after invasive arterial procedures. End-organ damage is due to mechanical occlusion and inflammatory response in the destination arteries. Clinical manifestations may include renal failure, blue toe syndrome, global neurologic deficits and a variety of gastrointestinal, ocular and constitutional signs and symptoms. There is no specific therapy for cholesterol emboli syndrome. Supportive measures include modifications of risk factors, use of statins and antiplatelet agents, avoidance of anticoagulation and thrombolytic agents, and utilization of surgical and endovascular techniques to exclude sources of cholesterol emboli.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, 560 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Adriana Quinones & Muhamed Saric

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  1. Adriana Quinones
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  2. Muhamed Saric
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Correspondence to Muhamed Saric.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Coronary Heart Disease

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Quinones, A., Saric, M. The Cholesterol Emboli Syndrome in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 15, 315 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-013-0315-y

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