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Atherosclerotic oxalosis in coronary arteries

Gregory A Fishbein1, Robert G Micheletti, Judith S Currier

  • 1Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. gfishbein@ucla.edu

Cardiovascular Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology
|March 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Calcium oxalate crystals were found in coronary artery atherosclerotic plaques in four patients, a novel finding termed "atherosclerotic oxalosis." This discovery occurred in patients without typical signs of systemic oxalosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Crystal Deposition Diseases
  • HIV/AIDS Research

Background:

  • Systemic oxalosis involves calcium oxalate deposits in various tissues.
  • Such deposits have not previously been identified within atherosclerotic plaques.
  • This study investigated coronary atherosclerosis in HIV-infected individuals.

Observation:

  • Retrospective clinicopathologic study of 80 hearts from HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.
  • Coronary artery sections were analyzed using various staining techniques, including polarized light microscopy.
  • Medical histories and autopsy findings were reviewed.

Findings:

  • Calcium oxalate crystals were observed within atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries of four patients (three with AIDS).
  • Deposits were also noted in the thyroid gland but not in the kidneys.
  • None of the patients presented with chronic renal failure or typical patterns of oxalosis.

Implications:

  • Introduces the novel finding of "atherosclerotic oxalosis."
  • Highlights a previously undescribed association between calcium oxalate deposition and atherosclerosis.
  • Suggests a new avenue for understanding crystal deposition in cardiovascular disease, particularly in the context of HIV.
Abstract

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