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Catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 in serum in experimental fat embolism in pigs
M Rautanen1, E Gullichsen, J Grönroos
1Department of Surgery, University of Turku, Finland.
Objective:
To investigate the catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 in serum during the early phase of experimental fat embolism.
Design:
Randomised controlled experimental study.
Setting:
Animal laboratory, Finland.
Subjects:
18 domestic pigs weighing 25-31 kg.
Interventions:
Allogeneic bone marrow suspension at a dose of 100 mg/kg was infused intracavally in 9 anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated, and haemodynamically monitored pigs; 9 control pigs received saline.
Main Outcome Measures:
Central haemodynamics, blood gases, catalytic activity of phospholipase A2.
Results:
In the fat embolism group, there were significant increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.001) and pulmonary shunting (p < 0.05) and simultaneously, systemic oxygenation was significantly impaired. The animals with fat embolism developed gradual fever and leucocytosis, whereas the catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 remained relatively unchanged.
Conclusion:
In this experimental model the measurement of serum phospholipase A2 activity does not provide a useful tool for the early detection of experimental fat embolism.