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Biomedical subjects

D Farge-Bancel

Publications and source records attributed to D Farge-Bancel.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

[Venous thromboembolism and cancer].

OBJECTIVES: The risk of venous thrombosis during cancer is largely increased especially in case of chemotherapy, surgery, advanced stage disease, coagulation abnormalities. Survival of patients with cancer experiencing venous thrombosis seems to be worse. Although thrombosis may be a presenting feature of occult malignancy, there are insufficient data to support a more extensive screening than comprehensive medical history, physical examination, routine laboratory tests and chest radiography. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Pathophysiology of venous thrombosis during cancer is unspecific: venous stasis, vessel wall damage, hypercoagulability). Other factors like platelet abnormalities or the direct responsibility of chemotherapy or hormonotherapy have recently been though to play a causative role. Treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis usually requires at least 6 months of low-molecular-weight heparin therapy rather than oral anticoagulant. Inferior vena cava filters are not indicated. Primary prophylaxis of thrombosis during cancer could safely been achieved with low-molecular-weight heparin. Central venous catheters can be associated with thrombotic complications. Many risks factors have been identified: catheter's type, modalities of catheter's implantation, type of perfusion, bulky mediastinal mass... Prophylactic anticoagulation is not routinely recommended. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Knew oral anticoagulants could facilitate the treatment of venous thrombosis occurring during cancer in the next years.

Administration, Oral↗

[Setting up a data collection and assessment system of the Permanent Healthcare Access Activities (PASS)].

INTRODUCTION: Five years after introducing the Permanent Access to Healthcare activity (PASS), it became necessary to analyse how it works. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A computerized data collection and assessment system intended to evaluate the PASS health activities has been set up in 11 University Hospitals and ten General Hospitals. From January 1st to June, 30th 2003 data was captured in a computer. RESULTS: The patients requiring medical advice are young (with an average age of 35 years) and present several signs of poverty in terms of accommodation, social relationships and financial means. Besides, almost all of them are uninsured. The PASS public corresponds completely to the created system. Poverty risk factors vary according to the geographic origin. Indeed, French people often suffer from isolation, whereas foreign patients present financial problems. The major part of patients are foreigners and more than a third of them do not speak French, which is an additional obstacle to care. Most of the time, the PASS patients present digestive disorders, nevertheless there are some differences between French and foreign patients. Indeed, foreigners very frequently have digestive and osteoarticluar problems, whereas French patients suffer from psychic disorders and present addictive behaviours. Some patients are sent to physicians downtown (9%) and to external medicosocial assistance centres (39.5%). DISCUSSION: This study (first one in France) provides us with homogenous data regarding the activities of PASS centres nationwide. The usefulness of computers and its acceptability facilitate data diffusion, with possibilities of adapting to each centre while preserving a common basis.

Adult↗

[Perception of organ grafts by internists].

INTRODUCTION: At the time when organ transplantation occupies a preponderant place in the treatment of many pathologies, the role of the internist in the care of grafted patients remains confidential and poorly defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 730 internist practitioners. The aims of this questionnaire were to evaluate 1) their level of knowledge and practice of transplantation; 2) their declared interest on the subject; and finally 3) their perception of the theoretical place of the internists in the transplantation. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-five answered. Although nearly 80% of the practitioners who answered this investigation declared themselves interested in the subject of transplantation, more than 60% considered their theoretical and practical knowledge on the subject to be insufficient. Nearly 70% said they felt ill at ease when faced with a grafted patient in consultation. Nearly two experts out of three considered that the role of the internist in the follow-up of grafted patients should be reinforced but less than 50% of them wished to be more involved, directly and personally. DISCUSSION: Whereas grafted patients frequently suffer from polypathologies that could be treated in internal medicine, a majority of internists do not wish to be directly implicated and/or do not feel qualified to treat these patients. The inherent risk in this is to see this specialty gradually excluded from the care networks available to grafted patients.

Adult↗

[Venous thromboembolism and cancer].

INTRODUCTION: Thromboembolic venous disease, which includes both peripheral venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a frequent disorder in patients with cancer. Although thromboembolic manifestations may precede the diagnosis of cancer, the value of extensive clinical search for potential underlying cancer when faced with venous thromboembolic manifestations has not been demonstrated. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Clinical and biological studies have demonstrated that acquired abnormalities in blood hemostasis, especially procoagulant factors, account for the onset of thromboembolic manifestations in patients with cancer. Classical anticoagulant therapy is associated with low efficacy and tolerance in patience with cancer who are at high risk for hemorrhagic complications and recurrence of thromboembolic disease. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Recent data suggest the value of anticoagulant therapy using either low molecular weight heparin or warfarin at low doses (INR < 2) according to the specific surgical or medical context.

Anticoagulants↗

[A malarial attack on return from a voyage to the French Antilles. Discussion of the mode of transmission].

Malaria has been considered to be eradicated from the French West Indies for over 25 years. In this report we describe a patient who was hospitalized and successfully treated in Paris for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria after returning form a brief trip to Guadeloupe. Several modes of transmission are possible. Given the presence of a reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in the Haitian immigrant community and persistent breeding of Anopheles albimanus in the French West Indies, the most likely explanation is local transmission. This is the second case of malaria involving travelers to Guadeloupe to be reported within the last ten years and the first time that autochtonous transmission has been considered. Falciparum malaria should be included in differential diagnosis for patients presenting fever after returning from travel in the French West Indies, a highly popular tourist destination.

Adult↗

[Treatment of thrombotic microangiopathies].

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome appear as the same expression of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), which is a single pathological entity affecting small blood vessels leading to hemolytic anemia, circulatory changes with renal (hemolytic uremic syndrome, HUS) or nervous (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, TTP) involvement. Because of his low incidence, prospective randomized clinical trials are difficult to conduct and apart from plasma exchanges (PE) which appear superior to plasma infusions (PI), other therapeutic recommendations are based on retrospective studies or on anecdotal reports with limited number of patients. In the absence of appropriate therapy, mortality rate was initially above 90% in adults with TTP. Plasma infusions and plasma exchanges have dramatically improved prognosis of the disease, since more than 80% of patients respond to therapy with a survival greater than 80 to 90%. Analysis of data of medical literature shows that plasma exchanges can cure 82% of TMA with 15% of refractory TMA and a mortality rate of 14%. In two randomized trials, PE are more effective than PI with a response rate benefit of 25% and an overall survival increase of 15%. Although severe thrombocytopenia is frequently observed, it is important to avoid platelet transfusions. Platelets infusions induce deleterious effects since they add to the severity and the extend of microvascular thrombi formation. Use of glucocorticoids, heparin, antiplatelet therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin and vincristine are associated with variable results and no controlled study supports their use. Splenectomy is still under discussion but could be of interest in case of relapsing thrombotic microangiopathies as an attempt to reduce the rate of TMA recurrence.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

[Current indications of low-molecular-weight heparins].

Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) have different properties than non-fractionated heparins. Bioavailability is better after subcutaneous administration and a longer halflife allows a single daily injection. Efficacy is equivalent for postoperative thromboembolism prophylaxis for all types of surgery. In most reports, low-molecular-weight heparins are more effective than non fractionated heparin and lead to fewer episodes of hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia. For treatment of deep vein thrombosis, low-molecular-weight heparins are as effective as non-fractionated heparins after two, or even one, daily injection without hemostasis tests. Other on-going studies are evaluating LMWH indications in pulmonary embolism, artery disease, pregnancy or other medical conditions.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗