Impaired arterial oxygenation associated with use of bone cement in the femoral shaft

Abstract

The study demonstrated a large decrease in arterial oxygen tension shortly after packing of bone cement and seating of a prosthesis into the femur. The decreased Pa(O2) could have been the result of a decrease in cardiac output, decreased diffusing capacity, increased ventilation perfusion abnormality, and/or increased shunt. It is suggested that the impairment of oxygenation after the use of bone cement is caused by pulmonary fat and bone marrow emboli, which may have caused the elevation of central venous pressure.