Embolism, Cholesterol

**Definition:** Blocking of a blood vessel by CHOLESTEROL-rich atheromatous deposits, generally occurring in the flow from a large artery to small arterial branches. It is also called arterial-arterial embolization or atheroembolism which may be spontaneous or iatrogenic. Patients with spontaneous atheroembolism often have painful, cyanotic digits of acute onset.

**Tree numbers:** - C14.907.355.350.454.500

**Synonyms:** - Cholesterol Embolism - Atheroembolism