Role of protein binding of cytotoxic anions in post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency.

Anions of fatty acids infused intravenously into dogs clearly duplicate the clinical syndrome of post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency (congestive atelectasis, shock lung, traumatic wet lung). Neutral fat embolized to the lungs is incapable of producing this syndrome within the time investigated. The incubation of fatty acid anions with human serum albumin before injection obviates the severe desaturation of blood and ultrastructure disruption caused by FAA alone.