Iloprost in embolic renal failure

Cholesterol embolism is a serious disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate. There is no clear evidence that any specific treatment helps this syndrome. We report a patient who developed acute renal failure due to cholesterol crystal embolism following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a renal artery. Treatment with iloprost for peripheral symptoms of cholesterol emboli resulted in rapid resolution of toe cyanosis, decrease in leg pain and a significant decrease in serum creatinine shortly after initiation of treatment. One month after initiation of iloprost therapy, skin signs of cholesterol emboli disappeared and leg pain diminished. Gradually reduction in serum creatinine level was also observed (from 390 to 160 micromol/L). Eighteen months after the arteriography, the patient had stable renal function with creatinine levels of 150-160 micromol/L, and he was asymptomatic.