Fat emboli syndrome

Overview

Fat embolisation syndrome is an uncommon but significant complication of orthopaedic trauma. Fat globules from bony injury are embolised throughout the circulation causing microvascular occlusion. It can mimic pulmonary emboli with increased right ventricular (RV) pressure and pulmonary hypertension if in the pulmonary capillaries. It is most likely to occur 24-72 hours after injury and may present with respiratory distress, confusion or seizures, tachycardia, petechial rash and renal failure. Pathological abnormalities include disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), anaemia, acute renal and hepatic failure.   

Acute symptoms may take days to weeks to resolve, with some patients having persistent neurological deficits and mortality remains 2-15% despite intervention.

Description

This resource kit provides healthcare clinicians with the skills to assess and manage a patient with fat emboli following orthopaedic limb trauma.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session the participant will be able to:

• Identify the potential causes for the deteriorating patient following limb trauma
• Perform an assessment of the patient with an altered conscious state following trauma
• Describe the management of fat emboli syndrome

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Further reading