REVERSAL OF GANGRENOUS LESIONS IN THE BLUE TOE SYNDROME WITH LOVASTATIN - A CASE-REPORT

A seventy-six-year-old man with ischemic heart disease, peripheral vas cular disease, and chronic renal failure developed bilateral cyanotic toes, which upon muscle biopsy, were shown to be caused by atheromatou s emboli. The probable source was atheromatosis of the abdominal aorta . The toes became gangrenous, but surgical therapy was deferred becaus e the patient was considered a high risk. With lovastatin therapy ther e was complete healing and except for transient cyanosis related to te mporary cessation of therapy, there has been no recurrence for the pas t thirty months. The possible role of lovastatin in the conservative t reatment of this disorder is discussed.