How common is cholesterol embolism?

Article Abstract:

Emboli composed of cholesterol can break off from arteries with ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques. These emboli can travel throughout the circulation and cause generalized illness. They can also cause renal failure, inflammation of the pancreas, hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract, and obstruction of the intestines and bowels. Cholesterol emboli can occur spontaneously, but they can also be caused by surgery and angiographic procedures (examination of the heart and blood vessels by X-ray and radiopaque dye). The prevalence of cholesterol emboli was analyzed in spleen and kidney tissue from 372 deceased individuals. The occurrence was rare. Cholesterol emboli were found in only 9 cases (2.4 percent). Two of the patients had recently undergone arteriographic (X-ray examination) procedures. Cholesterol emboli appeared to be spontaneous in the other cases, suggesting a spontaneous rate of occurrence to be about 1.9 percent. The clinical backgrounds of the patients who had cholesterol emboli were examined. All of the patients were over 60 years of age, and 8 of 9 (89 percent) were male. Embolization appeared to occur many times in these patients, as lesions in different stages were found in the tissue sections. The deaths of three of the patients were related to atherosclerosis, but the deaths of the other six patients were not related to this disease. Therefore, the importance of cholesterol embolism is not certain and must be assessed with further information concerning the status of affected patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Demographic aspects, Embolism

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Animal fat and cholesterol may have helped primitive man evolve a large brain

Article Abstract:

Cholesterol may have been an important substance in the development of a large human brain. Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes and is important for the development of nerve fibers. The Japanese population, which has a low cholesterol intake, has a low incidence of coronary heart disease but a high incidence of cerebral hemorrhage. Evidence suggests cholesterol is needed for brain repair.

Brain, Evolution (Biology), Human evolution

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