OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism is a known complication of severe trauma and closed chest cardiac resuscitation both of which are more common in the lung transplant donor population and can lead to donor-acquired fat embolism syndrome (DAFES). The objective was to review the diagnosis and management of DAFES in the lung transplantation literature and at our centre. METHODS: We performed a literature review on DAFES using the Medline database. We then reviewed the transplant record of Brigham and Women's Hospital, a large academic hospital with an active lung transplant programme, for cases of DAFES. RESULTS: We identified 2 cases of DAFES in our centre, one of which required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for successful management. In contrast to the broader literature on DAFES, which emphasizes unsuccessfully treated cases, both patients survived. CONCLUSION: DAFES is a rare but likely underappreciated early complication of lung transplant as it can mimic primary graft dysfunction. Aggressive interventions, including ECMO, may be necessary to achieve a good clinical outcome following DAFES.
OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism is a known complication of severe trauma and closed chest cardiac resuscitation both of which are more common in the lung transplant donor population and can lead to donor-acquired fat embolism syndrome (DAFES). The objective was to review the diagnosis and management of DAFES in the lung transplantation literature and at our centre. METHODS: We performed a literature review on DAFES using the Medline database. We then reviewed the transplant record of Brigham and Women's Hospital, a large academic hospital with an active lung transplant programme, for cases of DAFES. RESULTS: We identified 2 cases of DAFES in our centre, one of which required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for successful management. In contrast to the broader literature on DAFES, which emphasizes unsuccessfully treated cases, both patients survived. CONCLUSION:DAFES is a rare but likely underappreciated early complication of lung transplant as it can mimic primary graft dysfunction. Aggressive interventions, including ECMO, may be necessary to achieve a good clinical outcome following DAFES.
Authors: Marta López-Sánchez; Carlos Alvarez-Antoñán; Félix P Arce-Mateos; José Gómez-Román; Antonio Quesada-Suescun; Felipe Zurbano-Goñi Journal: Clin Transplant Date: 2009-11-02 Impact factor: 2.863
Authors: Christian A Bermudez; Prasad S Adusumilli; Kenneth R McCurry; Diana Zaldonis; Maria M Crespo; Joseph M Pilewski; Yoshiya Toyoda Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2009-03 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Bryan A Whitson; Matthew E Prekker; Cynthia S Herrington; Timothy P M Whelan; David M Radosevich; Marshall I Hertz; Peter S Dahlberg Journal: J Heart Lung Transplant Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 10.247
Authors: José Padilla; Carlos Jordá; Juan Carlos Peñalver; José Cerón; Juan Escrivá; Francisco Vera-Sempere Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 4.330