CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF PHOSPHOLIPASE A(2) IN SERUM IN EXPERIMENTAL FAT-EMBOLISM IN PIGS

Objective: To investigate the catalytic activity of phospholipase A(2) 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 haemodyn amically monitored pigs; 9 control pigs received saline. Main outcome measures: Central haemodynamics, blood gases, catalytic activity of ph ospholipase A(2). Results: In the fat embolism group, there were signi ficant increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.001), pulm onary 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 leucocytosi s, whereas the catalytic activity of phospholipase A(2) remained relat ively unchanged. Conclusion: In this experimental model the measuremen t of serum phospholipase A(2) activity does not provide a useful tool for the early detection of experimental fat embolism.