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Updated: Nov 11, 2025
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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
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Atheroembolic kidney disease: The under-recognized silent killer
Gabriel Ștefan1,2, Adrian Zugravu1,2, Simona Stancu1,2
1"Dr. Carol Davila" Teaching Hospital of Nephrology Bucharest Romania.
Clinical Case Reports
|March 26, 2021
Summary
Atheroembolic kidney disease diagnosis relies on kidney biopsy. However, suspect this condition with acute kidney injury, skin issues, and a recent trigger.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Atheroembolic kidney disease (AEKD) is a serious condition caused by cholesterol crystal emboli lodging in small arteries.
- Diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific symptoms and the invasive nature of definitive diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight clinical indicators that suggest AEKD in the absence of immediate biopsy confirmation.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing the characteristic triad of symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of patients with confirmed AEKD.
- Analysis of the correlation between precipitating events, renal failure, and skin manifestations.
Main Results:
- Kidney biopsy confirming cholesterol crystal emboli is the gold standard for AEKD diagnosis.
- A clinical triad of acute to subacute renal failure, skin findings, and a recent precipitating event strongly suggests AEKD.
Conclusions:
- Early clinical suspicion for AEKD is crucial, even before definitive biopsy results.
- Recognizing the triad of symptoms can expedite diagnosis and management, potentially improving patient outcomes.
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