Aortogenic Embolic Stroke Diagnosed by a Pathological Examination of Endovascularly Removed Thrombus: An Autopsy Report.

Complex aortic atheroma is a high-risk factor for recurrent embolic stroke. An accurate identification of stroke etiology is clinically important; however, it can be challenging. A 91-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was diagnosed with cardioembolic stroke and treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The removed thrombus microscopically contained foamy cells, suggesting an atheroembolism. An autopsy revealed an atherosclerotic lesion with ulceration, located in the aortic arch. At the lesion, the plaque had microscopically ruptured into the lumen. We therefore concluded that the aortic atherosclerotic lesion was the embolic source. Removed thrombi should be pathologically examined even if a cardioembolic stroke is clinically suspected.

Nuevo enfoque para el tratamiento de las causas de ateroembolia / New approach in the treatment of the causes of ateroembolism

La ateroembolia es una entidad poco conocida y cuyo pronóstico es sombrío, especialmente en aquellos cuadros de ateroembolia diseminada, pero también en casos de ateroembolia distal que provoca un síndrome inflamatorio de respuesta sistémica. Durante 14 años recopilamos 31 casos de ateroembolia, 5 de ellas postoperatorias y 26 casos con orígenes distintos: 20 debido a aorta Shaggy y 6 a otras causas. De las 20 con aorta Shaggy, 10 presentaban ateroembolia. 22 de los 26 casos no iatrogénicos fueron tratados por vía endovascular, con una mortalidad del 9%. De acuerdo a nuestras observaciones, comentamos nuestra conducta y las variaciones en el tratamiento, proponiendo una clasificación que contemple los casos asintomáticos para el tratamiento precoz de estas lesiones aórticas, antes de producir complicaciones severas por ateroembolias o síndromes isquémicos de los miembros inferiores. Asimismo, comentamos aquellos trucos que aprendimos con la observación de los distintos casos reseñados.

A ateroembolia é uma entidade pouco conhecida e cujo prognóstico é sombrio, especialmente em quadros de ateroembolia disseminada, mas que também ocorre em casos de ateroembolia distal, o que provoca uma síndrome inflamatória de resposta sistêmica. Durante 14 anos recolhemos 31 casos de ateroembolia. 5 deles, postoperatórias e 26 casos com origens diferentes: 20 devido à aorta Shaggy e 6 por outras causas. Das 20 com aorta Shaggy, 10 apresentavam ateroembolia. 22 dos 26 casos não iatrogênicos foram tratados via endovascular, com uma mortalidade de 9%. De acordo com as nossas observações, comentamos as condutas e variações no tratamento, propondo uma classificação que inclua os casos assintomáticos para o tratamento precoce destas lesões aórticas, antes de produzir complicações severas por ateroembolias ou síndromes isquêmicos dos miembros inferiores. Comentamos os truques que aprendemos com a observação dos diferentes casos selecionados.

Ateroembolism is not a very well known entity and its prognosis is poor, especially in cases of disseminated ateroembolism, and also in cases of distal ateroembolism which causes aninflammatory syndrome of systemic response. 31 cases of ateroembolism were registered during 14 years, 5 were post-surgical and 26 due to different etiologies: 20 due to shaggy aorta and 6 due to other reasons. Of the 20 cases with shaggy aorta, 10 presented ateroembolism. 22 of the 26 non-iatrogenic cases were treated with the endovascular approach with a 9% mortality. According to our observations, we discussed our approach and treatment options, suggesting a classification which includes asymptomatic cases for early treatment of these aortic lesions, before they induce severe ateroembolic complications or lower limb ischemic syndromes. Likewise, we discuss some tips learnt during the observation of the different cases commented.

Mobile masses in the aortic arch in a patient with acute embolic event.

We describe a 45-year-old woman with peripheral embolism in whom echocardiography revealed mobile masses in the aortic arch that were characterized as atherothrombi. The masses were resected surgically 2 months later, since treatment with antiplatelets, anticoagulants and statins failed to resolve them.

[Management and prognosis of acute arterial embolism: a multivariable analysis of 346 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of acute arterial embolism (AAE) and its prognostic factors. METHODS: The clinical data of 346 AAE patients treated at our hospital between January 1998 and October 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The prognostic factors, including age, gender, extremities, location of embolism, ischemic duration, ischemic categories, and therapeutic methods, postoperative complications were evaluated by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 210 males and 136 females with a mean age of (63 ± 14) years old. Fifty-six patients occurred in the upper extremities and 290 patients in the lower extremities. The causes included cardiogenic embolism (n = 301), vasogenic embolism (n = 33) and unknown origin (n = 12). The duration of ischemia ranged from 1 h to 7 d. Only 44 patients were admitted ≤ 8 h and the remainder > 8 h. The categories of extremity ischemia were level I (n = 17), level IIA (n = 69), level IIB (n = 221) and level III (n = 39). The procedures included embolectomy (n = 280), interventional thrombolysis (n = 19) and conservative treatment (n = 47). Thirteen patients (3.76%) died of complications during the perioperative periods. And 44 (12.72%) underwent amputations and 289 (83.53%) had excellent clinical outcome with extremity salvage. During a 5-year follow-up period, 38 patients had a recurrent embolism. The Logistic regression analysis showed that ischemic duration, ischemic category, therapeutic methods and complications had significant prognostic influences (all P < 0.05). And other factors such as age, gender, extremities and the location of embolism had insignificant influences (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Embolectomy is the first-choice therapy for AAE with an excellent outcome. Ischemic duration, ischemic grading, surgical treatment and complications have significant prognostic influences. Systematic medical treatments, such as effective anticoagulation, are vital in the prevention of recurrent AAE.

Endovascular treatment of massive thoracic aortic thrombus and associated ruptured atheroma.

Atheroembolic disease typically presents with isolated lower extremity digital ischemia. Treatment traditionally includes optimization of medical management, with open surgery reserved for complicated or recurrent embolic events. We present a novel endovascular approach for treatment of complicated thoracic aortic atherosclerotic disease incidentally discovered in a 63-year-old female. The patient demonstrated visceral artery embolization from a mobile 2.6 cm atherosclerotic plaque despite maximal medical therapy. Thoracic aortic stent graft placement successfully excluded the atheroma and prevented further embolization. This case demonstrates a unique treatment option for complicated thoracic aortic atheroembolic disease utilizing a minimally invasive endovascular approach.

Cholesterol atheroembolism of the colon can mimic the endoscopic features of pseudomembranous colitis.

The endoscopic features of cholesterol atheroembolism affecting the colon have not been extensively described in the literature, owing to the rarity of this entity. We report a middle-aged man who presented with hematochezia after recent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Colonoscopy revealed ulcerative skip lesions with overlying slough resembling pseudomembranes distal to the transverse colon, inconsistent with the initial clinical impression of ischemic colitis. As a consequence of continued bleeding with hemodynamic instability, the patient underwent an extended low anterior resection with end transverse colostomy. Histology revealed cholesterol atheroembolism resulting in patchy ischemic ulceration of the colon. Colonic cholesterol atheroembolism can mimic the endoscopic features of pseudomembranous colitis.

Segmental testicular infarction due to cholesterol embolism: not the first case, but the first report.

Segmental infarction of the testis represents a rare entity in that there have been fewer than 40 cases documented in the literature. Like global infarction, segmental infarction of the testis can masquerade as a mass lesion or torsion of the testis. Reported herein is a very rare case of segmental testicular infarction due to atheroembolism in a 58-year-old man. The patient presented with severe left testicular pain and underwent left high orchiectomy on the clinical diagnosis of testicular torsion. The testis had a segmental hemorrhagic necrosis around which many cholesterol emboli were observed. This is the first report to describe cholesterol embolism-associated segmental testicular infarction.

Partial recovery of delayed graft function due to cholesterol emboli after renal transplantation.

A 65-year-old man who received a deceased renal allograft in September 2001. The donor of the allograft was a 54-year-old hypertensive man who expired from intracerebral hemorrhage. Atheroma with hard plaques was present in both renal arteries and aortic patches. After vascular anastomosis and clamp release, the allograft recoloration was inadequate, and the patient remained anuric. Computerized tomography scan demonstrated disseminated infarction areas, suggesting cholesterol emboli, which was confirmed later by a graft biopsy. As approximately 50% of the renal parenchyma was perfused, graft nephrectomy was not indicated and dialysis was restarted. Diuresis was over 3000 ml/day and serum creatinine decreased and stabilized at 360 micromol/L by the 32nd postoperative day. The allograft supported the patient for only two years, and he eventually was successfully retransplanted in June 2003. We believe that delayed graft function due to cholesterol emboli disease may be reversible if areas of infarction are not too large.

[Endo arterial investigation: suspicious for the cholesterol crystal embolism disease]. / Explorations endo-arterielles: se mefier de la maladie des embols de cholesterol!!

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is a rare disorder which can complicate cardiac catheterization, angiographic studies and cardiovascular surgery. The CCE exposes to a great risk of renal failure and it can even threaten life by means of a multi visceral failing syndrome. AIM: Report a new case of CCE following cardiac catheterization. CASE: We report the observation of a 63-year-old patient who had a coronary angiography via the right femoral artery after a myocardial infarction. This examination has showed a multi-vessel coronary disease. 15 days later, the patient presented purplish and painful discoloration of his toes. The laboratory findings showed a mild inflammatory syndrome and eosinophilia at 700 / microL. There was not a renal dysfunction nor proteinuria nor hematuria. We performed a skin biopsy and made the diagnosis of CCE. Trans oesophageal echography objectified an irregular atherosclerotic plaque in the isthmic aorta. The CT scan revealed a spindle-shaped aneurysm in the end of the abdominal aorta. This aneurysm contains a marginal surrounding thrombosis with high embolic risk. The patient was put under clopidogrel, enoxaparin, simvastatin, colchicine and atenolol and operated successfully. CONCLUSION: The two particularities of this observation are, on one hand, the absence of a renal involvement, which represents the main prognostic factor of the CCE. On the other hand, the CCE has revealed a very unstable aneurysm of the aorta which could be complicated during the cardiac catheterisation. The CCE is a difficult diagnosis that must be remembered before any cardiac catheterisation, because it often reflects unstable aortic atherosclerotic lesions.

Pulmonary atheroembolism via an AV shunt.

Although cholesterol crystal embolism can present with diffuse visceral involvement, lung lesions do not occur unless there is left to right circulatory shunting. Pulmonary atheroembolism was confirmed by histology in an elderly male with recent end-stage renal failure (ESRF) due to atheroembolic renal disease, who presented with massive hemoptysis and intractable respiratory failure. At autopsy, atheromatous degeneration of the aorta was observed and acute cholesterol emboli found in the kidneys, spleen, liver, stomach and lung. Cholesterol clefts were seen in pulmonary arterioles, and ischemic alveolar damage was present. The pulmonary arteries had no atheromatous changes. Intrapulmonary, intracardiac, and aortocaval shunting were not present. Pulmonary atheroembolism arising from a dialysis fistula has not been previously reported.

Carotid endarterectomy for ophthalmic manifestations: is it ever indicated?

Four ophthalmic manifestations make up a substantial proportion of the indications for carotid endarterectomy (CE). They include transient monocular visual loss (TMVL), ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS), retinal artery occlusion (RAO), and asymptomatic Hollenhorst plaque. Critical review of the literature shows that the evidence to support the efficacy of CE in these four settings is tenuous.

[Two cases of small bowel ischemia due to unusual cause]. / Ischemia intestinale da cause inusuali. Presentazione di due casi.

The authors report 2 cases of small bowel ischemia due to unusual cause. In both cases, vasculopathy was the cause of ischemia, but with a different etiology. In the first case, a mesenteric inflammatory veno-occlusive disease, with striking features of extensive phlebitis and venulitis affecting the veins of the small intestine and mesentery, without arterial involvement of this district was observed and histological examination showed inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrates and myointimal hyperplasia of the veins. The second case affected by intestinal ischemia from secondary and multiple cholesterol embolism, the histological examination showed inflammatory infiltrates with (lymphocytes and granulocytes) in the vessels of submucosal mesenteric area, by loose intimal fibrosis incorporating cholesterol clefts. Both patients required surgical exploration with resection of ischemic bowel. In the second case laparoscopy was the initial approach which allowed to identify the extension of ischemia with special regard to the perforation. The ultimate diagnosis is possible only with histological examination. Clinically, patients show the general signs of intestinal ischemia with pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Prognosis depends on the extension of the lesions and the early surgical treatment.

The role of aortic stent grafting in the treatment of atheromatous embolization syndrome: results after a mean of 15 months follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent-graft (ESG) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has emerged as an alternative to open surgery. The role of ESG in patients with challenging medical and anatomic problems remains an area of general debate. This study reviews an experience with stent grafts to treat patients with AAA and atheromatous embolization syndrome (AES) presenting with chronic distal embolization (CDE). METHODS: Over a 5-year period 660 patients with AAA were treated with aortic stent grafts. Patients with AAA and ischemic ulcerations or toe gangrene due to CDE despite palpable foot pulses were investigated for successful aneurysm exclusion, resolution of ischemic symptoms, complications and survival. Follow-up averaged 15.3 +/- 14.9 months (range, 1 to 60 months). RESULTS: Nineteen patients had AAA and manifestations of CDE. The population (16 males/3 females) had a mean age of 79 +/- 7 years and mean aneurysm diameter of 5.5 cm. Renal insufficiency was present in 5/19 (26 %). Ischemia presented as ischemic ulcers (16/19 [84.2%]) or toe gangrene (3/19 [15.8%]). Stent grafts included 6 aortouniiliac and 13 bifurcated devices. Exclusion was achieved in all but 2 patients who had type II lumbar endoleaks. At 30-day postoperative follow-up, mortality was 0 % and resolution of CDE/ischemia was noted in 2 of 19 (10.5%) patients. Eight of 9 patients with follow-up of 1 year had complete resolution of their ischemic symptoms, with no recurrent manifestations of AES. Complications included progression of renal insufficiency over an 18-month period in 1 patient and an unstable expanding pararenal aortic neck in 1 patient. Foot ischemia persisted at 1 year in a patient with severe coexisting thoracic aortic disease despite successful AAA exclusion. Six (31.6%) patients died during a mean follow-up of 15.3 months from causes unrelated to their AAA. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this experience, stent-graft repair of AAA and CDE may be an effective strategy to prevent future embolization. Recognition of coexisting thoracic aortic disease is essential. ESG does not address the extremely high morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular causes in this population.