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The pathogenesis of fat embolism
Author(s) -
Hulman Geoffrey
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711760103
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , fat embolism , medicine , embolism , pathology , cardiology
Fat embolism is a common autopsy finding in patients with or without a history of trauma. There are two basic mechanisms causing fat to embolize. Depot‐derived fat embolism arises by disruption of depot fat, usually as a result of trauma, allowing direct entry into the bloodstream. Plasma‐derived fat embolism is caused by agglutination of endogenous or infused exogenous fat such as Intralipid, with consequent embolism. Chylomicrons and Intralipid liposomes are known to undergo calcium‐dependent agglutination by C‐reactive protein (CRP), and this may play a role in vivo in this type of fat embolism.