[Atheroembolic disease and pulmonary haemorrhage]

The cholesterol embolism syndrome is a multisystemic disease resulting from cholesterol crystal emboli deriving from ulcerous atherosclerotic plaques of the aorta or large arteries. Cholesterol crystal embolization can affect multiple organ, including the skin, kidney, brain, eyes, gastrointestinal tract and extremities, and mimic other systemic diseases like vasculitis. Cholesterol crystal embolization of lungs has been described and should be included in the differential diagnostic of pulmonary-renal syndromes. The diagnosis of cholesterol embolism should be considered in elderly patients with pre-existing atherosclerotic disease who develop renal failure and clinical features of peripheral cholesterol crystal embolization in association with precipitating event, without the need for histological demonstration of cholesterol clefts. This syndrome is associated with high morbidity and mortality but recent reports suggest that an aggressive therapeutic management with patient-tailored supportive measures, avoids precipitating factors, and the use of corticosteroids may be associated with a favorable clinical outcome.