Sequential changes in gas exchange following traumatic fat embolism.
We present a young man who developed fat embolism syndrome following a fractured femoral shaft. By intermittently measuring oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter and varying the inspired partial pressure of oxygen we were able to quantify the development of shunt and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch over the course of his illness. Shunt and low V/Q gradually improved in the week following admission but deteriorated following general anaesthesia for nailing of the femur.
Burnstein
R M
RM
University Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Newell
J P
JP
Jones
J G
JG
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange