Cholesterol Embolization Syndrome Presenting with Multifocal Cerebral Infarction After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a rare case of cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) presenting with multifocal cerebral infarctions following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). A 75-year-old male with a 6.1 cm thoracic aortic aneurysm and extensive atherosclerotic disease ("shaggy aorta") underwent zone 2 TEVAR with left subclavian artery embolization after left carotid-subclavian bypass surgery. Postoperatively, the patient developed altered mental status with multifocal cerebral infarctions involving the left middle cerebral artery territory, bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, and pons. The characteristic findings included livedo reticularis, blue toe syndrome, leukocytosis (21,190/mu L), elevated C-reactive protein (11.4 mg/dL), and acute kidney injury (creatinine 3.81 mg/dL). Despite supportive care, including continuous renal replacement therapy, the patient died of sudden cardiac arrest on hospital day 123. This case demonstrates the devastating potential of CES following TEVAR in patients with a shaggy aorta, emphasizing the importance of preoperative risk stratification and early recognition of the characteristic clinical triad of neurological symptoms, cutaneous lesions, and renal dysfunction.