pathogenesis
Last reviewed 01/2018
The cholesterol emboli syndrome is seen in patients with generalised atherosclerosis. Vascular insults, thrombolysis or anticoagulation result in rupture of atheromatous plaques and release of cholesterol crystals into the blood.
Lodging of the crystals in a capillary bed results in:
- distal necrosis
- an inflammatory reaction resulting in eosinophilia