[Study of principles in pathogenesis and therapy of fat embolism. IV. In vivo studies of drug-induced mobilization of embolized lung fat]

Pluronic F 108 added to serum in a concentration of 1 g/dl proved as the optimal means to increase the fat emulgatory capacity. Similar concentrations were achieved in living rabbits by infusing 4.5 g per kg body weight. In spite of this higher dosage we failed to mobilize 131 J labelled fat, embolized into the lungs of the animals. It is concluded that also in humans there exists no possibility to mobilize fat emboli from the lungs by the application of tensides (non-ionic detergents, lecithin-preparations, bile salts) or of organic solvents (alcohol, ether). All these agents are capable to emulsify fat in vitro, however, only under vigorous shaking.--Because of the side effects of those agents their application on patients, suffering from posttraumatic fat embolism seems not to be justified.