Fat Embolism Syndrome Todd Nickoles, MBA, RN, BSN Learning Objectives
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Fat Embolism Syndrome Todd Nickoles, MBA, RN, BSN Learning Objectives • Identify the risk factors and causes of fat embolism syndrome • Recognize the signs and symptoms of fat embolism syndrome following acute trauma • Describe major and minor diagnostic criteria • Describe the possible treatments and potential outcomes of pulmonary and cerebral fat embolism syndrome Disclosure Statement • Faculty/Presenters/Authors/Content Reviewers/Planners disclose no conflict of interest relative to this educational activity. Successful Completion • To successfully complete this course, participants must attend the entire event and complete/submit the evaluation at the end of the session. • Society of Trauma Nurses is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. What is… • Fat Embolism? • Presence of fat droplets in the systemic circulation • Mechanical and/or biochemical theories • Following fractures (>95%), primarily long bone and pelvic • Also found following bone marrow transplantation, osteomyelitis, pancreatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, liposuction, and child birth • Become systemic through shunting (pulmonary or PFO) • Fat emboli are unlike thrombus: • Temporary or partial, d/t fluidity and deformability • Fat is then hydrolyzed into free fatty acids and glycerol • Toxic to lung tissue, endothelium, initiate inflammatory cascade Theories • Mechanical • Increase in pressure within bone marrow forces marrow fat into circulation • Fractures or reaming Theories • Mechanical • Biochemical • Following injury or insult • Systemic release of free fatty acids (chylomicrons) and glycerol • Acute‐phase reactants cause chylomicrons to form globules Theories • Mechanical • Biochemical In either case: • Multiple emboli collect in pulmonary vasculature, increase PA pressure and right heart failure, respiratory symptoms • High pressure forces deformable fat globules through pulmonary shunts (PFO?), shower to head and upper body Theories • Mechanical • Biochemical In either case: • Accumulated fat globules are cytotoxic • Trigger inflammatory cascade: • Local endothelial injury • Membrane permeability & edema • Hemorrhage What is… • Fat Embolism • Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)? • End‐organ dysfunction related to multiple fat emboli • Pulmonary –acute respiratory failure, ARDS • Cerebral – confusion, loss of consciousness, cerebral edema • Cutaneous –petechial rash upper anterior torso, axillary, conjunctiva • Presence of diagnostic criteria • Traumatic or non‐traumatic History • First description in 1861 by German pathologist Zenker • Discovered on autopsy of a farmer crushed between two wagons • First clinical diagnosis in 1873 by Von Bergmann • First in American literature in 1879 by Fenger & Salisbury • Leading causative theories developed in 1924 and 1927 • Diagnostic criteria developed in 1974 by Gurd & Wilson Epidemiology • Reported incidence (clinical criteria) during 1970’s up to 20% • Reported incidence (cc) of FES following trauma, 1‐2% • With bilateral femur fractures, 5‐7.5% • Following IM nailing, 11% • 5% of cases occur without trauma • Incidence on autopsy, 20% • Estimated mortality, 7‐20% • Assumed to be underdiagnosed Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. 15 16 17 Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Scene VS: 116/68, 112, 20, 88%, GCS15 Scene time: 1:00 Transport time: 15min High energy? Expected body system injuries? Meet activation criteria? • Occupant death, prolonged extrication, >1 long prox bone fracture, speed, intrusion • MCI –2 Level 1 (1 prehospital arrest), 1 Level 2, 1 Level 3 • + Another medical code at the same time Risk factors FES • High‐velocity trauma • Young age • Fracture‐related: • Closed fractures • Multiple fractures • Conservative fracture management • Presence of a contused lung? • Theory: increased shunting burden on healthy lung Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED… ED VS: 130/84, 68, 33, 100%, 36.3, GCS15 Known injuries: • Head –SDH, SAH, IPH, scalp lac • Neck –C3 and C4 TP fractures • Chest –B pulm contusions, B PTX • Abd – Contusion of transverse colon • Ext –R midshaft femur fracture, left knee lac Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. ED VS: 130/84, 68, 33, 100%, 36.3, GCS15 Known injuries on admission to PICU (ED LOS >4hrs): • Head –SDH, SAH, IPH, scalp lac GCS15, PICU obs, Neurosurgery cx • Neck –C3 and C4 TP fractures Neurosurgery cx, stable with collar • Chest –B pulm contusions, small B PTX no chest tubes, sup O2 & PICU obs • Abd – Contusion of transverse colon Obs • Ext –R midshaft femur fracture, left knee lac Ortho cx, traction in PICU, plan for ORIF to follow Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. Seizure upon arrival in PICU… Cerebral signs FES • **First rule out TBI • Results from emboli to brain via carotid arteries • Mechanical and biochemical effects • Symptoms vary in severity and are non‐specific (non‐ focal) • Mild –mental status changes • Moderate – decreased LOC, seizures • Severe – encephalopathy, coma • Imaging: CT normal or non‐specific, eg. edema • 16% show multiple infarcts • MRI: >95% show “starfield pattern” • Treatment: supportive, depend on severity (similar to DAI) • Airway, ventilation, seizure control • ICP, decompressive crani Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. Seizure upon arrival in PICU, intubated, ICP monitor placed… Pulmonary signs FES • **First rule out other pulmonary diagnoses • Pulmonary contusions • Pulmonary edema • Thrombus pulmonary embolism • Aspiration • Pneumonia Pulmonary signs FES • **First rule out other pulmonary diagnoses • Results from emboli to pulmonary vasculature • Mechanical obstruction and biochemical effects • Respiratory distress symptoms • Drop in SpO2, PaO2, increased O2 requirements • Imaging: CXR – bilat diffuse patchy opacities “snowstorm” • CT – “ground glass” opacities, nodules • Treatment: supportive, depend on severity • Airway, ventilation –FIO2, PEEP, lung protective strategies http://orthotips.com/20‐fat‐embolism http://learningradiology.com/notes/chestnotes/fatembolism.htm High‐Resolution Ct Findings In Mild Pulmonary Fat Embolism* Malagari K, Economopoulos N, Stoupis C, et al. Chest. 2003;123(4):1196‐1201. Lindeque’s respiratory criteria Criteria • Sustained PaO2 < 8kPa (60 mmHg) • Sustained PaCO2 >7.3kPa (55 mmHg) or pH <7.3 • Sustained RR >35 bpm after adequate sedation • Increased WOB (dyspnea, accessory muscle use, tachycardia, anxiety) Lindeque et al. Fat embolism syndrome: A double blind therapeutic study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1987;69:128–31. Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. Seizure upon arrival in PICU, intubated, ICP monitor placed, HFOV started (8 hours after intubation)… Cutaneous signs FES • “classic feature” • Non‐dependent petechial rash • Upper anterior torso • Axillary regions • Conjuctiva Gurd’s diagnostic criteria Fat Embolism Syndrome = 1 major + 4 minor Major Criteria Minor Criteria • Hypoxia (<60mmHg O2) (95%) • Pyrexia (>39 C) • Confusion (60%) • Tachycardia (>120 BPM) • Petechial rash (33%) • Retinal changes (petechiae) • Anuria or Oliguria • Anemia (Hgb drop 20%) • Thrombocytopenia (drop 50%) • High ESR (>71 mm/hr) • Fat macroglobulinemia Gurd, Wilson. The fat embolism syndrome. J Bone Jt Surg Br. (1974) 408‐416. Schonfeld’s diagnostic criteria Symptoms Points Diffuse petechiae 5 Alveolar infiltrates on chest radiograph 4 Hypoxemia (<70 mmHg) 3 Confusion 1 Fever >38 C1 Heart rate >120 BPM 1 Respiratory rate >30 BPM 1 *Five or more points required for diagnosis Schonfeld et al. Fat embolism prophylaxis with corticosteroids. Ann Int Med 99 (1983) 438‐443. Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. Seizure upon arrival in PICU, intubated, ICP monitor placed, HFOV started… Fever, tachycardia, anemia, thrombocytopenia Gurd’s Criteria: Schonfelds Criteria: • 3 Major • 16 points (100%) • 4 Criteria Treatments FES • No specific treatment (yet) • Supportive therapies (previously mentioned) • Corticosteroids? • Heparin? Case Study #1 16 year old restrained passenger, rear middle seat, high speed MVC vs tree. Prolonged extrication, VSS at scene, A&Ox3, GCS 15. Arrived at ED as Level 2 activation. Remained stable in ED, admitted to PICU. Seizure upon arrival in PICU, intubated, ICP monitor placed, HFOV started, but patient continued to rapidly deteriorate. Withdrawal of support by family. Autopsy findings • Prospective