Cholesterol crystal embolization after cardiac operations. Report of two cases

We report two cases of systemic cholesterol embolization after coronary bypass surgery under extracorporeal circulation. First clinical symptoms starting at 48–72 h after cardiac operation were severe abdominal pain and elevated ischemia associated blood parameters. In both patients a laparotomy was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery 2001-01, Vol.19 (1), p.96-98
Main Authors: Vazquez-Jimenez, Jaime F., Pérez-Bouza, Alberto, Liakopoulos, Oliver J., Messmer, Bruno J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Arteries - pathology
Biological and medical sciences
Blue toe syndrome
Cardiac surgery complications
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Cholesterol clefts
Cholesterol emboli syndrome
Coronary Artery Bypass
Cutaneous emboli
Embolism, Cholesterol - pathology
Fatal Outcome
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Multiple cholesterol emboli syndrome
Multiple Organ Failure - pathology
Multiple Organ Failure - surgery
Postoperative Complications - pathology
Postoperative Complications - surgery
Reoperation
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the heart
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Summary:We report two cases of systemic cholesterol embolization after coronary bypass surgery under extracorporeal circulation. First clinical symptoms starting at 48–72 h after cardiac operation were severe abdominal pain and elevated ischemia associated blood parameters. In both patients a laparotomy was performed but fatal outcome due to multi-organ failure could not be avoided. The awareness of this often fatal complication is of great importance for the surgeon since prevention is the only effective treatment.
ISSN:1010-7940
1873-734X
DOI:10.1016/S1010-7940(00)00616-3