[Cholesterol crystal embolism disease, diagnostic criteria]

FROM AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW: With the aging of the population and increased indications for angioplasty or anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of cholesterol crystal embolism is going to increase. FROM A CLINICAL POINT OF VIEW: A systemic disease related to multiorgan distal ischemia, cholesterol crystal embolism has multiple facets. Rapidly progressive renal failure, malignant hypertension in the elderly, mesenteric ischemia, acute pulmonary edema, cutaneous ischemia or encephalopathy symptomatology may reveal cholesterol crystal embolism. THE IMPORTANCE OF DIAGNOSIS: The occurrence of such symptoms in poly-vascular patients, notably following exposure to inductive factors such as arterial catheterism, anticoagulant therapy or cardiac or vascular surgery is highly suggestive of the diagnosis. The lack of its knowledge can lead to inappropriate anticoagulant therapy and useless arteriography, which may even prolong or worsen cholesterol crystal embolism.