The Treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure in Experimental Fat Embolism.

Abstract

Respiratory failure associated with experimental fat embolism was investigated using two experimental models and various therapeutic modalities. The canine oleic acid model of fat embolism was used primarily. In initial experiments it was determined that continuous positive pressure breathingg was more effective than intermittent positive pressure breathin in the treatment of respiratory failure caused by the injection of oleic acid. Corticosteroids seemed to have no particular beneficial effect in this model. This model was also investigated using in vivo observations via a thoracic window to determine alterations in pulmonary microanatomy after fat embolism. Two basic patterns were observed: one of complete vascular occlusion to an area of lung, and a second, of acute toxic vasculities with interstitial hemorrhage, edema, and loss of alveolar stability. Further experiments demonstrated a consumption coagulopathy in the canine oleic acid model and also demonstrated that fibrin was deposited in the pulmonary interstitium and arterioles following fat embolism. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 22, 1972
Accession Number
AD0737749

Entities

People

  • David G. Ashbaugh

Organizations

  • University of Colorado Denver

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Embolism And Thrombosis
  • Hemorrhage
  • Observation
  • Oleic Acid
  • Vascular Diseases
  • Vascular System Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology