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Biomedical subjects

A Delahaye

Publications and source records attributed to A Delahaye.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in aortic blood flow induced by passive leg raising predict fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal Doppler provides a continuous and non-invasive estimate of descending aortic blood flow (ABF) and corrected left ventricular ejection time (LVETc). Considering passive leg raising (PLR) as a reversible volume expansion (VE), we compared the relative abilities of PLR-induced ABF variations, LVETc and respiratory pulsed pressure variations (DeltaPP) to predict fluid responsiveness. METHODS: We studied 22 critically ill patients in acute circulatory failure in the supine position, during PLR, back to the supine position and after two consecutive VEs of 250 ml of saline. Responders were defined by an increase in ABF induced by 500 ml VE of more than 15%. RESULTS: Ten patients were responders and 12 were non-responders. In responders, the increase in ABF induced by PLR was similar to that induced by a 250 ml VE (16% versus 20%; p = 0.15). A PLR-induced increase in ABF of more than 8% predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 83%. Corresponding positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) were 82% and 91%, respectively. A DeltaPP threshold value of 12% predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 92%. Corresponding PPV and NPV were 87% and 78%, respectively. A LVETc of 245 ms or less predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 70%, and a specificity of 67%. Corresponding PPV and NPV were 60% and 66%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PLR-induced increase in ABF and a DeltaPP of more than 12% offer similar predictive values in predicting fluid responsiveness. An isolated basal LVETc value is not a reliable criterion for predicting response to fluid loading.

Aged↗

MEFV analysis is of particularly weak diagnostic value for recurrent fevers in Western European Caucasian patients.

OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, with abdominal, thoracic, or articular pain. FMF is particularly common in Mediterranean populations, while other populations are rarely affected. MEFV gene analysis provides the only objective diagnostic criterion for FMF. However, the spectrum of MEFV mutations, which was first established in classically affected populations, remains insufficiently studied in other populations. The purpose of this study was to assess involvement of MEFV in the phenotype of western European Caucasian patients with a clinical diagnosis of FMF. METHODS: Mutation analysis was performed in 208 Caucasian patients from western Europe, by screening for the most common MEFV mutations in exons 2, 3, 5, and 10, and by sequencing the promoter region and the whole MEFV coding sequence in 21 of these patients. RESULTS: None of the patients carried 2 mutated alleles. Only 2 patients carried 1 mutated allele. CONCLUSION: FMF-like syndromes in western European Caucasian populations cannot be explained by MEFV mutations. These results should be helpful in avoiding laborious and costly MEFV molecular analyses that, at the population level, seem to be of poor diagnostic value in the case of western European Caucasian patients, and rather should prompt a search for other causes in those patients.

Cytoskeletal Proteins↗

[Descriptive study of the patients admitted to an intensive care unit during the heat wave of August 2003 in France].

INTRODUCTION: Several thousands of deaths were attributed to heat stroke during August 2003 in France. To date, only a very few studies have analyzed the prognosis in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the most severely hyperthermic patients. METHOD: Descriptive observational study of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit at the Lariboisière hospital in Paris, for heat stroke defined by an elevated core body temperature above 40 degrees C with central nervous system dysfunction, in the absence of other etiologies explaining the hyperthermia. RESULTS: In the Lariboisière hospital, an elevation in the ICU (+143%) and hospital mortality rate (+191%) were registered during August 2003, in comparison with August 2002. Fifteen patients (10 men, 5 women, median age: 57 years) were admitted to the ICU for heat stroke between the 4th and 14th of August 2003. Seven of them (47%) died. On admission, the occurrence of a pre-hospital cardiac arrest, the presence of coagulation abnormalities (reduction in prothrombin time and in platelet count) or of an elevation in plasma lactate concentration were significantly associated with the risk of death in the ICU. Conversely, age, body temperature, coma depth on admission and convulsions were not predictive of death. Neurological after effects (cerebellar syndrome, polyneuropathy and residual brain damage) were noted in 50% of the survivors. DISCUSSION: Although it is possible that heat alone precipitated the death of very sick people, our study clearly showed that young and valid patients died of heat stroke and suggests the possible increase in the 2003 death rate secondary to the heat wave. Moreover, it is still difficult at the moment to really appreciate the long-term consequences for survivors who presented serious neurological after effects. CONCLUSION: The August 2003 heat wave resulted in an elevation of the hospital and ICU death rates in the Lariboisière hospital in Paris. Despite adequate cooling and supportive therapies, the mortality of patients admitted to the ICU for heat stroke remained elevated and the neurological after effects severe. These preliminary results should be confirmed by larger cohort studies.

Body Temperature↗

Properties and characteristics of an indirect Bis-GMA/barium-glass polymer ceramic restorative system.

Although porcelain has predictably served the dental profession for more than 200 years, this class of restorative material has presented a number of clinically undesirable characteristics. As a result, during the past several years, major efforts have been made to enhance the mechanical and physical characteristics of polymers to better mimic porcelain for specific clinical applications. In recent years, Bis-GMA/barium-glass polymer systems have been developed to offer dental professionals a versatile restorative alternative to porcelain. This article details the material properties and clinical characteristics of one such system for the esthetic restoration of anterior and posterior teeth.

Barium↗