This report details a case in which renal failure occurred after heart catheterization, in which the patient was diagnosed as having cholesterol atheroembolism by renal and skin biopsies. The patient was a 57-year-old man, who fell into a state of non-oliguric renal dysfunction after coronary arteriography (CAG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) due to unstable angina pectoris. Thereafter the patient underwent hemodialysis. Cholesterol crystals were observed in the vascular lumen both by renal biopsy at the commencement of hemodialysis and by skin biopsy at the acrocyanotic lesions that appeared after catheterization. Catheter manipulation and subsequent excessive anticoagulant therapy were considered to be causes of cholesterol atheroembolism. In this case, renal function gradually improved while maintenance dialysis was continued and the patient was able to stop dialysis after 14 months. Cholesterol atheroembolism is therefore a potential cause of acute or chronic renal failure.