Cholesterol Crystal Embolism Syndrome in Dialysis Patients: An Emerging Clinical Diagnosis?

Abstract

Background: Cholesterol crystal embolism syndrome (CCE) is an increasing end-stage renal disease cause. Few cases have been described on dialysis, despite the high prevalence of the predisposing factors. Methods: The diagnostic criteria of the present study were: skin lesions, myalgia, fatigue, fever and acute inflammatory serologic signs, in the presence of severe vasculopathy. The precipitating factors were: anticoagulation, endovascular intervention and ulcerated atherosclerotic plaque. Results: Between October 2003 and September 2005, CCE was diagnosed in 6 dialysis patients (of 200–210 on chronic treatment): 5 males, 1 female, median age 59.5 years (47–70) and end-stage renal disease follow-up 11.5 years (3–25). All had severe vasculopathy, 5 cardiopathy, and 4 were failed graft recipients. The treatment included: peritoneal dialysis, daily dialysis, ‘conventional’ hemodialysis (2 cases) and hemodiafiltration. The diagnosis was based on the clinical-laboratory picture in 1 patient. In the 5 others clues were present (dicumarol therapy, angioplasty, femoral artery thrombosis, CCE predialysis and ulcerated aortic plaque). The therapeutic approach consisted of corticosteroids (5 cases), statins (4 cases) and prostaglandin analogues (4 cases). Conclusion: The differential diagnosis of CCE should also be considered in dialysis patients (necrotic lesions, limb pain and vasculitis-like signs).

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): BPU

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Blood Purif

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.0253-5068

Title: Blood Purification

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 0253-5068

ISSN (Electronic): 1421-9735

Publication date Subscription-year: 2006

Publication date (Print): December 2006

Publication date (Electronic): 21 December 2006

Volume: 24

Issue: 5-6

Pages: 433-438

Affiliations

Nephrology, Internal Medicine Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Article

Publisher ID: 95359 Other ID: Blood Purif 2006;24:433–438

DOI: 10.1159/000095359

PubMed ID: 16940713

Copyright statement: © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

License:

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Page count

Tables: 1, References: 25, Pages: 6

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Categories

Subject: Original Paper