The evaluation of corticosteroid therapy in conjunction with plasma exchange in the treatment of renal cholesterol embolic disease. A report of 5 cases.

In this report, we describe 5 patients with cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure. In 3 of the 5 patients, combined therapy with corticosteroids and plasma exchange was performed. These 3 patients survived, with 2 showing an improvement in renal function. The 2 remaining patients died of multifactorial causes. The literature on therapy for cholesterol atheroembolic renal failure is reviewed and the efficacy of combined therapy by use of corticosteroids and plasma exchange is evaluated. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel