Acute experimental autologous fat embolism in dogs.

An experimental technique has been devised to study the acute respiratory and hemodynamic results of autologous fat embolism in dogs. By using a commercially available autotransfusion device, fat can be aspirated and reinfused into the venous circulation. Acute rises in pulmonary artery pressure and calculated pulmonary dead space can be produced, and arterial oxygen saturation is impaired. These changes correlate well with the appearance of intravascular embolized fat. Apparent intravascular clot formation is demonstrated, the fat droplet acting as a stimulus or nidus for clot formation. These changes were avoided when the infusate was first passed through a micropore filter.