Marked regression of aortic plaque by intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy.

A 65-year-old man with rheumatic combined valvular heart disease showed a persistent fever after cardiac catheterization. He was diagnosed with cholesterol embolism due to multiple mobile plaques in the descending thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) along with persistent eosinophilia, deteriorating renal function, and blue toe sign. He was treated with intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy for 3 years, resulting in marked regression of the aortic plaque on TEE.