Cholesterol embolism
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Purple toes syndrome?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Cholesterol embolism occurs when cholesterol is released, usually from an atherosclerotic plaque, and travels as an embolus in the bloodstream to lodge (as an embolism) causing an obstruction in blood vessels further away. Most commonly this causes skin symptoms (usually livedo reticularis), gangrene of the extremities and sometimes kidney failure; problems with other organs may arise, depending on the site at which the cholesterol crystals enter the bloodstream.[2] When the kidneys are involved, the disease is referred to as atheroembolic renal disease.[3] The diagnosis usually involves biopsy (removing a tissue sample) from an affected organ. Cholesterol embolism is treated by removing the cause and giving supportive therapy; statin drugs have been found to improve the prognosis.[2]
Cholesterol embolism | |
---|---|
Other names | Cholesterol crystal embolism, atheroembolism, blue toe, purple toe syndrome, trash foot, warfarin blue toe syndrome[1]:ā338ā |
Micrograph showing a cholesterol embolus in a medium sized artery of the kidney. Kidney biopsy. H&E stain. | |
Specialty | Cardiology |