Cholesterol Embolism
摘要
Cholesterol embolism (CE) occurs when the atherosclerotic plaque in large arteries (such as the aorta, carotid arteries, and iliac arteries) is damaged, causing the lipid core, which is mainly composed of cholesterol and its crystals, to disseminate and embolize the smaller peripheral arteries (100–200 μm in diameter). This leads to arterial lumen occlusion and an inflammatory response, resulting in multi-organ dysfunction. The recent advancements in invasive vascular procedures have raised concerns about the increased incidence of CE. While CE is considered one of the most dangerous and severe complications associated with vascular procedures, it is often underdiagnosed clinically, and a definitive treatment has not been established (Jucgla et al. 2006; Kronzon and Saric 2010; Scolari and Ravani 2010).