Influence of applied time on the prevention and treatment of fat embolism syndrome by albumin.

Objective To investigate the role of albumin in the prevention and treatment of fat embolism syndromes. Methods Twenty one healthy hybrid dogs were used to establish the model of fat embolism syndrome. The arterial PO 2, plasma albumin, and free fatty acids were measured at various time points, respectively. All the dogs were sacrificed 48 h after embolism. Pathologic examination of lung tissue was performed and lung weight/lung coefficient was measured. Results Fat embolism syndrome occurred in both control and treated groups, while there was no occurrence of fat embolism syndrome in preventive group. Conclusion The prevention and treatment of fat embolism syndrome by albumin was correlated to its applied time. The early use of albumin after embolism can prevent the syndrome occurrence, but the application of albumin 12 h or later after embolism turned out to be of no effect in the treatment of the syndrome.