Atheroembolic disease
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Overview
Atheroembolic disease is medical conditions caused by the embolization of ruptured atheromatous plaques into distal blood vessels.
Risk factors
Risk factors
- Smoking
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Family history
- Previous atheroembolism
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Complications
- chronic renal failure
- acute renal failure
- stroke
- myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- ischemic limb requiring amputation
- bowel ischemic
Prognosis
Prognosis of the condition is generally poor as embolization is usually chronic.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Pain, abdominal/flank, legs, thighs or foot – continuous
- Claudication
- Vascular insufficiency, purple toes
- Hypertension – high blood pressure
- Skin ulcers
- Hematuria – blood in the urine
Laboratory Findings
- Urinalysis
- Blood work – CBC, creatinine, cholesterol
Other Imaging Findings
- Pyelography
- Renal angiogram
Treatment
Treatment
Atheroembolic disease is difficult to treat. The primary treatment is prevention, by controlling the risk factors (i.e. smoking, cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension).
External links
External links
- Atheroembolic renal disease – U of Maryland Medical Center
- Atheroembolic renal disease – medlineplus.org
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH