cholesterol emboli and renal failure

Q: After cardiac catheterization, all of the following support the diagnosis of Atheroembolism, popularly known as 'cholesterol crystal emboli' except?

A) Resolving renal failure
B) Blue toes 
C) Livedo reticularis 
D) Retinal hollenhorst plaques
E) Eosinophilia 


Answer: A

One of the dreaded complications of cardiac catheterization is 'cholesterol emboli' as it bears high morbidity. Acute kidney injury is not uncommon after cardiac catheterization but it is mostly due to contrast-induced nephropathy and usually resolved in a week with appropriate management. Persistent kidney failure with other clinical finding described in other choices usually is a feature of 'cholesterol emboli. Almost 40 percent of these patients develop End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and many of these patients have a low survival.

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#nephrology
#cardiology


Reference: 

Scolari F, Ravani P, Gaggi R, et al. The challenge of diagnosing atheroembolic renal disease: clinical features and prognostic factors. Circulation 2007; 116:298.