CHOLESTEROL EMBOLISM - A HEAVY PRICE TO P AY AFTER FIBRINOLYSIS

We attribute a case of acute irreversible renal failure associated wit h ''blue toe syndrome'' and eosinophilia to a cholesterol embolism aft er ''successful'' treatment of myocardial infarction with fibrinolysis . This case shows that CE can be caused not only by invasive arterial procedures but also by thrombolytic as well as by anticoagulatory trea tment. In modern medicine, the importance of this often fatal but usua lly undetected systemic affection is increasing. For patients with ser ious atherosclerosis it is essential to analyze the risks and benefits before undertaking arterial invasive procedures or fibrinolysis.