A case of cholesterol crystal embolism following coronarography: a contraindication of the procedure?
Montagna, P.; Santé, P.; Jegaden, O.
Giornale Italiano di Cardiologia 27(2): 164-167
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0046-5968 PMID: 9244719 Document Number: 479497
Authors report on one patient with cholesterol embolization following cardiac catheterization and coronary by-pass surgery. During the immediate post-operative period, neurological and renal complications occurred because of recurrent cholesterol embolization. One month after surgery the patient died from a sudden neurological coma. Cholesterol crystal embolization appears to be a contra-indication to heart surgery, even in a strongly symptomatic patient, when the spontaneous course of the existing cardiac disease is not life-threatening in the short term.