FAT EMBOLISM ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG OVERDOSAGE: Case Report

A case history is presented of a patient who developed severe pulmonary oedema, when almost recovered from self-inflicted barbiturate overdosage. The resulting hypoxia was resistant to oxygen therapy with IPPV and CPPB. A fatal outcome ensued 14 days after admission. The diagnosis of fat embolism wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of anaesthesia : BJA 1972-07, Vol.44 (7), p.731-735
Main Authors: COPPEL, D.L., GURD, A.R., GRAY, R.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Barbiturates - poisoning
Diagnosis, Differential
Embolism, Fat - chemically induced
Embolism, Fat - diagnosis
Humans
Hypoxia - therapy
Male
Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
Positive-Pressure Respiration
Pulmonary Edema - chemically induced
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Summary:A case history is presented of a patient who developed severe pulmonary oedema, when almost recovered from self-inflicted barbiturate overdosage. The resulting hypoxia was resistant to oxygen therapy with IPPV and CPPB. A fatal outcome ensued 14 days after admission. The diagnosis of fat embolism was confirmed by the demonstration of fat globules greater than 10,u circulating in the plasma. The pathogenesis and differential diagnosis is discussed. Fat embolism should be considered when the diagnosis of pulmonary oedema is in doubt.
ISSN:0007-0912
1471-6771
DOI:10.1093/bja/44.7.731