Cholesterol emboli

Abstract

Three patients in whom cholesterol emboli were demonstrated are described. In one patient, the cause was clear: he developed a recurrence after resuming the use of anticoagulants on his own initiative. In the second patient, autopsy revealed numerous cholesterol emboli in the spleen and kidneys. In the third patient, the performance of an angiography appeared to have favoured the occurrence of the complications. It is only in patients using oral anticoagulants that adequate treatment is possible, viz by discontinuing the anticoagulant therapy.