Metabolism of fat emulsions by thermally injured patients

G. L. Vega, C. R. Baxter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The lipolytic capacity of patients with severe and moderate thermal injury was assessed in vivo by determining the rate of clearance of chylo-microns. Twelve patients, two women and ten men, age 34 ± 12 years, had burns varying from 28% to 84% of total burn surface area (TBSA). Seven patients had an average burn size of 63% TBSA. They were hypocholesterolemic and normo-triglyceridemic during parenteral alimentation that excluded fat emulsion. But when Lyposil was infused intravenously (150 mg/Kg/hr for a period of eight hrs), plasma triglyceride (TG) levels increased. Most of the triglyceride was in the form of chylomicrons, which had a prolonged residence time in plasma. Patients with moderate thermal injury (mean % TBSA 38% ± 9%) had normal TG levels before fat infusion. When Liposyl was infused intraduodenally (170 mg/kg/hr), the plasma TG levels remained normal and the chylomicron half-life was very short. These observations suggest that patients with severe thermal injury may have reduced lipolytic capacity, especially during parenteral administration of fat emulsion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-34
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • General Nursing
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Rehabilitation
  • General Health Professions

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