Two days following coronary angiography and angioplasty, a 47-year-old male diabetic develops painful blue toes on both feet. The following is/are true:

d. If renal failure or pancreatitis develops, the outlook for long term survival is very poor

Artheroembolism results from plaque rupture or manipulation at catheterization and is much more frequent after catheterization than suspected clinically. Since repetitive events and additional complications are expected, prompt arteriography should be performed to delineate the possible site of origin which is then excised, endarterectomized or bypassed as the only effective treatment. Since plaque debris is very small, it can readily pass through collateral vessels to lodge in arterioles, and major vascular occlusion is no barrier. The kidney is the most common organ affected and if renal failure or pancreatitis develops as a sign of generalized atheroembolism, the outlook is poor with life expectancy measured in months.