What causes cholesterol emboli?
The cholesterol emboli originate from ulcerated arteriosclerotic plaques, which can release cholesterol fragments (emboli) into the bloodstream. This may occur spontaneously, but procedures that disrupt the plaque surface such as angiography, angioplasty, vascular surgery, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and even cardiopulmonary resuscitation are known triggers. Studies suggest it may occur following up to 1% of vascular procedures. Trauma to the abdomen can rarely precipitate this syndrome by disrupting arteriosclerotic plaques within the abdominal aorta. Drugs that are used for thrombolysis (to reopen a clotted vessel following a heart attack or stroke) or anticoagulation (to thin the blood) may also predispose to embolisation of cholesterol from unstable plaques secondary to dissolution of the overlying blood clot, or haemorrhage of the arteriosclerotic plaque. The risk however is thought to be very low, and no casual relationship has been demonstrated. The symptoms are usually noticed
