Post-traumatic fulminant paradoxical fat embolism syndrome in conjunction with asymptomatic atrial septal defect: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Fat embolism syndrome with respiratory failure after intramedullary nailing of a femur fracture is a rare but serious complication in trauma patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 20-year-old Caucasian man who experienced paradoxical cerebral fat embolism syndrome with fulminant progression after intramedullary nailing of a femur fracture, in conjunction with a clinically asymptomatic atrial septal defect in a high position resulting in a right-to-left shunt. CONCLUSION: Fat embolism syndrome may occur as a fulminant complication following femoral fracture repair in the presence of a concomitant atrial septal defect with right-to-left shunt. Thus, in patients with cardiac right-to-left shunts, femurs should not be nailed intramedullary, not even in cases of isolated injuries.