Prone positioning in a patient with fat embolism syndrome presenting as diffuse alveolar haemorrhage: new perspective

Abstract

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a rare complication of fat embolism syndrome leading to severe hypoxaemia due to the effusion of blood into the alveoli from the damaged pulmonary microvasculature. The management is usually supportive with patients being nursed in supine position. The use of prone position ventilation in a DAH has rarely been reported before. We report an interesting case of a 26-year-old male patient diagnosed with DAH caused by fat embolism in whom prone position ventilation improved the lung dynamics and oxygenation.