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Sequential changes in gas exchange following traumatic fat embolism
Author(s) -
Burnstein R. M.,
Newell J. P.,
Jones J. G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.00289.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fat embolism , shunt (medical) , anesthesia , fat embolism syndrome , embolism , general anaesthesia , femur , perfusion , oxygen saturation , surgery , oxygen , cardiology , chemistry , organic chemistry
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.