Abstract
To date, there are no evidence-based data to support specific drug therapy for a patient with atheroembolism. It makes sense to use HMG CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors (statins) in any patient with atherosclerosis, as these drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, and have a theoretical benefit on plaque stabilization. Surgical treatment should be considered for patients with abdominal aortic or popliteal artery aneurysms and downstream atheroembolism. There are case reports of atheroemboli in patients worsening after given warfarin or heparin. For this reason, some institutions are reluctant to prescribe these drugs for patients with atheroemboli or thromboemboli from aortic plaque. However, the incidence of this complication is quite low. Anticoagulation probably should be stopped if a patient develops atheroembolism. Similarly, the current state of knowledge does not allow for selecting specific pharmacologic intervention in patients with thromboemboli from aortic plaque. Statin therapy does make sense, as these drugs theoretically stabilize plaques and prevent plaque hemorrhage, thrombosis, and subsequent embolization. Unstable aortic plaques may develop ...Continue Reading
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