Cholesterol embolism after cardiac catheterization mimicking infective endocarditis

Intern Med. 2005 Oct;44(10):1060-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.44.1060.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Embolism, Cholesterol / diagnosis*
  • Embolism, Cholesterol / diagnostic imaging
  • Embolism, Cholesterol / etiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ultrasonography