title: Pulmonary fat embolism--a prospective study within the forensic autopsy collective of the Republic of Iceland.
abstract: In the last century, studies established the origin of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) and identified mechanical trauma as main source for PFE. This prospective study focused on determining a possible influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), in the context of an aging population, on the occurrence of PFE. Lung tissue samples from 256 bodies were examined using the twin-edged knife technique without preliminary fixation but after staining with Sudan III. PFE grading was determined according to Falzi and performed at a 10× magnification. For statistical analysis, bodies were grouped by age, gender, and putrefaction and categorized following whether they had experienced trauma, CPR, the combination of both, or no mechanical impact. There was a significant correlation of trauma, CPR, and the combination of both to PFE but no noticeable influence of gender or putrefaction. An age over 70 years promotes a PFE due to resuscitation.
authors.affiliation: SVA Aargau, Bahnhofplatz 3c, Aarau, 5001, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Voisard
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jackowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult