Cholesterol Embolism after Cardiac Catheterization Mimicking Infective Endocarditis

Takakuni MAKI; Chisato IZUMI; Makoto MIYAKE; Toshiaki IZUMI; Shuichi TAKAHASHI; Yoshihiro HIMURA; Takashi KONISHI

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.44.1060

CASE REPORTS

Cholesterol Embolism after Cardiac Catheterization Mimicking Infective Endocarditis

Takakuni MAKI, Chisato IZUMI, Makoto MIYAKE, Toshiaki IZUMI, Shuichi TAKAHASHI, Yoshihiro HIMURA, Takashi KONISHI

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Keywords: cholesterol embolism, complications, cardiac catheterization, transesophageal echocardiography

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2005 Volume 44 Issue 10 Pages 1060-1063

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.44.1060

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Abstract

We present a 65-year-old man with rheumatic combined valvular heart disease showing persistent fever 3 weeks after diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Infective endocarditis was strongly suspected from the clinical course, however, serial blood cultures were negative. Transesophageal echocardiography, done to investigate vegetation, revealed multiple mobile plaques in the descending aorta. Administration of both steroid and simvastatin improved both symptoms and renal function. Cholesterol embolism should be considered to be one of the possible causes of low-grade fever after cardiac catheterization especially in patients with anticoagulation.

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