Cutaneous microemboli from hydrophilic polymer after endovascular procedures

Multiple devices and coatings assist with endovascular insertion of sheaths, catheters, and guide wires. Hydrophilic polymer coatings, a common component of endovascular surgical devices, reportedly cause microvascular obstruction and embolization, with various sequelae in organs and soft tissue.

We sought to describe clinical and histopathologic features of cutaneous manifestations of hydrophilic polymer gel emboli.

We evaluated the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of 8 patients with cutaneous complications of hydrophilic polymer gel emboli who presented in May 2013 through February 2015.

Sudden onset of lower extremity livedo racemosa, purpuric patches, or both, occurred hours to days after endovascular procedures involving the aorta. Histopathologic evaluation showed basophilic lamellated material, consistent with hydrophilic polymer gel emboli, within small dermal vessels.

This was a retrospective study with small sample size and not controlled for all similar procedures in this population.

Hydrophilic polymer gel coatings in endovascular devices can embolize to skin and cause microvascular occlusion, presenting as livedo racemosa, purpura, or both. Given the number of patients observed over a short period, this phenomenon may be underappreciated. Hydrophilic polymer gel emboli should be considered in differential diagnosis of livedo racemosa and purpura after endovascular procedure.