[Clearance and utilization of infused fat emulsions]

Fat emulsions are an important source of energy for parenteral nutrition. The utilization of fat emulsions can be differentiated in elimination and oxidation. Biphasic elimination curves are observed, indicating zero order kinetics for removal at high substrate concentrations and first order kinetics at low substrate concentrations. During elimination from plasma apolipoproteins are transferred to the artificial fat particles. The elimination rate is determined by the composition of the fat particles, the nutritional status and the illness of the patient. The oxidation of the infused fatty acids is not strongly correlated with elimination. For clinical purposes the elimination is a suitable parameter for utilization.