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Biomedical subjects

D Perrot

Publications and source records attributed to D Perrot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

["Spontaneous" resolution of two severe methotrexate-induced pneumonias].

The beneficial role of corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of methotrexate-induced pneumonia remains controversial. We report two cases of acute severe interstitial pneumonia induced by methotrexate in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma given a polychemotherapy protocol (M'BACOD). The first signs appeared on the eleventh day of the first cycle in patient one and on the tenth day of the third cycle in patient two. The causal implication of methotrexate was based on the history, the clinical and radiological presentation, and the negative tests in both patients: lymphocyte alveolitis with granulomatous lesions on the transbronchial biopsy in patient one and positive leukocyte migration test in the presence of methotrexate in patient two. Early acute respiratory failure required high flow rate oxygen therapy with positive expiratory pressure ventilatory assistance. The course was rapidly favorable both for blood gases and radiographic presentation without corticosteroids. These two cases illustrate that pulmonary disease can be cured without corticosteroids despite severe respiratory failure at onset. This provides a further argument on reservations about using corticosteroids for suspected methotrexate-induced pneumonia.

Aged↗

[Thrombolytic therapy with rt-PA of recurrent thrombosis in tricuspid valve prosthesis during pregnancy].

The authors report a case of a woman who had two episodes of a tricuspid Saint-Jude prosthesis thrombosis treated with fibrinolysis using rt-PA, during the fourth month of pregnancy. A first course of thrombolytic therapy was successful with normal valve function despite threatening abortion and uterine bleeding. An early rethrombosis of the prosthetic valve and a failure of a second course of thrombolysis required the interruption of pregnancy with a replacement of the tricuspid valve prosthesis.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

[Early somatosensory (SEP) and auditory (AEP) evoked potentials in anoxic coma: prognostic value].

Early somatosensory (SEP) and auditory (BAEP) evoked potentials, when recorded within the first seven days of the course of anoxic coma, appear to be reliable to evaluate anoxic ischemic cortical or under-cortical lesions. Prognosis depends especially on cortical SEP (N20-P25): the lack of SEP is a good outcome predictor of death (abnormal BAEP) or of vegetative status (normal BAEP); the presence of normal and bilateral cortical SEP (with normal BAEP) allows to predict awakening, without prejudging of neurologic sequelae, even if they are severe.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Hypercortisolism in septic shock is not suppressible by dexamethasone infusion.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feedback regulation of glucocorticoids on corticotropin secretion in patients with septic and nonseptic circulatory shock. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: An intensive care unit of a general hospital. PATIENTS: Two groups of patients with septic shock (n = 11) or nonseptic shock (n = 7). A control group (n = 20) was also studied. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous dexamethasone (1 mg/hr for 4 hrs) suppression test. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma concentrations of corticotropin-releasing factor, beta-lipotropin, and corticosteroid-binding globulin measured by radioimmunoassays, and plasma cortisol measured by radiocompetition assay; the ratio of cortisol to corticosteroid-binding globulin calculated as the free cortisol index. MAIN RESULTS: In both groups of patients, the concentrations of plasma cortisol and beta-lipotropin, and the ratio of cortisol to corticosteroid-binding globulin, were higher than normal subjects (p < .001) and were not different between septic and nonseptic shock patients, whereas the plasma corticosteroid-binding globulin concentration was significantly (p < .001) lower in septic shock patients than in normal subjects (444 +/- 154 vs. 696 +/- 56 nmol/L [22.0 +/- 7.6 vs. 34.5 +/- 2.8 mg/L]), but not significantly lower in nonseptic shock patients (607 +/- 157 nmol/L [30.0 +/- 7.8 mg/L]). In contrast to the complete suppressive effect of dexamethasone infusion on cortisol and beta-lipotropin concentrations in normal subjects, dexamethasone did not suppress cortisol or lipotropin in either septic or nonseptic shock patients. CONCLUSIONS: During circulatory shock, hypercortisolism is associated with high concentrations of lipotropin, and is not suppressible by intravenous dexamethasone infusion.

Adult↗

Short- and long-term prognosis, functional outcome following ICU for elderly.

Among 1532 ICU patients we analysed 295 elderly patients (19%) aged more than 70-years-old. We determined prospectively the immediate and subsequent one-year outcome with a study of the predictive value of their ICU admission parameters. Then we followed the ICU survivors over the year after discharge (1, 6, 12 months) by quality of life questionnaires. ICU mortality was 26.7%; SAPS was the only predictor of short term mortality. On ICU discharge, 216 elderly were followed at 1, 6, 12 months; the one-year cumulative mortality was 49% from ICU discharge, majority of deaths occurring over the first month. Age, previous health status and SAPS had a predictor value of one-year mortality for ICU survivors. 103 patients were alive at one year: 88% returned to home, 72% had a relatively good functional status allowing an independent life, and 82% had the same or improved functional status.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, the cause of acute insufficiency in chronic obstructive bronchopathy. The value of nasal mechanical ventilation].

A 57 year old man with chronic bronchitis sought a consultation for dyspnoea at rest associated with an absolute inability to lie flat. Examination revealed paradoxical respiration and respiratory function testing revealed a mixed ventilation disturbance, which was predominantly obstructive and was aggravated in the dorsal decubitus position. Radiology revealed bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, which was confirmed on measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure. The patient benefited from assisted ventilation by the nasal route with an excellent result in both the short and the medium term. Investigation into the cause was negative, in particular there was no evidence of any neuromuscular abnormality. This case recalls the role of the diaphragm in acute respiratory failure and shows the value of mechanical ventilation by the nasal route in the treatment of certain types of diaphragmatic paralysis.

Bronchitis↗

[Early somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials in anoxic coma. Role in evaluating and prognostic value].

Early somatosensory (ESEP) and auditory (EAEP) evoked potentials were recorded in 27 patients with severe coma (Glasgow score less than 5) following cardiorespiratory arrest, within the first 7 days of its course. Somatosensory responses were elicited by stimulation of the median nerve. ESEP were abolished in 17 patients due to a parietal thalamo-cortical lesion. Among these, 6 patients died within one month and 11 presented with a persistent vegetative state. In all patients EAEP were obtained, showing functional brainstem activity. Low-voltage EAEP, especially for peak V (inferior colliculus or upper part of the brainstem), was sometimes observed. One patient, in whom ESEP and EAEP were initially abolished, died rapidly. In 9 other patients scalp-recorded ESEP and EAEP were normal; all emerged from coma including 5 with good neurological recovery and 4 with neurological sequelae. Clinical, electroencephalographic and computerized tomographic data appeared to be devoid of predictive value at the same initial period. In view of their sensitivity to anoxia and to cerebral oedema, even with neurosedative drugs, ESEP seemed to be reliable in predicting outcomes and in evaluating central nervous system lesions at cortical and subcortical levels (basal ganglia and brainstem) after cardiorespiratory arrest.

Adolescent↗

Decreased immunoreactivity and binding activity of corticosteroid-binding globulin in serum in septic shock.

To investigate the mechanism(s) responsible for the depletion of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) activity in serum in septic shock, we developed a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for human CBG, using a monospecific antiserum to human CBG raised in rabbits. CBG was purified from pooled human serum by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and successive affinity chromatography treatments on corticosterone-Sepharose and concanavalin A-Sepharose. Final purification was achieved by HPLC on a diethylaminoethyl-PW (polymer matrix) ion-exchange column. Typical standard curves established for the CBG immunoassay showed parallelism for pure CBG and serial dilutions of sera from patients with septic or nonseptic shock and from healthy controls. Measurements of CBG by RIA showed a significantly (P less than 0.001) lower CBG concentration in patients with septic shock (22.9 +/- 5.9 mg/L, mean +/- SD; n = 23) than in controls (39.9 +/- 6.5 mg/L, n = 21) or in patients with nonseptic shock (33.3 +/- 6.5 mg/L, n = 12). The correlation between the concentrations determined by RIA and the CBG binding capacity was significant (r = 0.619, P less than 0.001, n = 33). The electrophoretic mobility of CBG was similar in sera from septic shock patients and normal subjects (Rf = 0.52-0.56). This suggests that the depletion of the corticosteroid-binding activity in serum during septic shock is associated with a decreased amount of CBG.

Adult↗

A case of sotalol poisoning with fatal outcome.

The case of a 58 year old woman who died after ingestion of 14.4 g of sotalol and 50 mg of triazolam is described. Despite medical treatment, intracardiac pacing and hemodialysis, cardiovascular failure persisted and became irreversible. High sotalol concentrations were observed in plasma (65 micrograms/ml) and in post mortem tissues samples. Tissue to plasma ratios ranged from 2.5 to 6. The high drug concentration found in heart tissue (104.4 micrograms/g) explains the difficulties experienced in the sotalol poisoning.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Methanol poisoning].

The neurological signs, the cerebral CAT scan aspects and the ocular problems seen in five cases of acute methanol poisoning are reported; these were, respectively, coma requiring assisted ventilation, convulsions, hypotonicity, hypodensity of the putamen, and amaurosis and papillary oedema. The simplified acute physiologic score varied from 11 to 26; the value of 26 was observed in the only death of the series. Pathogenesis of the metabolic acidosis, as well as the different parts played by formic acid, lactic acid and ketone bodies are discussed. A normal or lowered serum potassium in a case of unexplained metabolic acidosis associated with an osmotic gap should make one think of the diagnosis. Macrocytosis, an indirect sign of folic acid deficiency, was in favour of a poor prognosis. The treatment included early gastric lavage, alkalinization, blocking of the metabolism of methanol by ethanol and haemodialysis with a bicarbonate dialysate enriched in ethanol; this corrected the acidosis and permitted the elimination of the toxic metabolites (clearance of methanol: 159 ml X min-1; half-life of methanol during purification: 3.46 +/- 1.32 h; quantity extracted: 246 g). The possible advantages of 4-methyl-pyrazol and alkyldiol derivatives need further confirmation.

Acidosis↗

[Myocardial infarction during postoperative peridural analgesia with opiates].

A case of postoperative myocardial infarction is reported. It occurred seven days after intra-abdominal surgery (left hemicolectomy), in a patient with coronary heart disease. Diagnosis was delayed because of lack of pain; it was suggested by cardiogenic shock occurring 48 h after the initial phase. The patient had been receiving postoperative epidural analgesia with an opioid (pethidine); this may explain the pain was missing, so delaying the diagnosis.

Analgesia↗

[Totally implantable venous-access systems: apropos of experiences of 30 patients].

Thirty-one totally implantable venous access system were investigated in patients who required intravenous administration of chemotherapy, drugs, nutrients solutions, blood products and blood sampling. Mean duration of venous access was 179 days (ranged from 9 to 429 days). Eight complications were observed, five benign without consequence on port system use, three severe (infections) requiring its removal. No death occurred during implantation and port system use. Patient acceptance was better than with other methods for repeated vascular access. In patients requiring prolonged chemotherapy, totally implantable venous access systems represent a new technique of long term venous access, with easy implantation and lack of restriction of daily activities. Review of literature show that complications are most frequently local and easy to manage. Four types of complications may have severe consequences for patient and/or port system use: catheter occlusion, venous thrombosis, local and/or general infection, and skin necrosis subsequent or not to extravasation. They represent the major cause of port system removal, but this is seldom necessary. Acquired experience allow to justify an earlier implantation of totally implantable venous access systems before chemotherapy and destruction of available surface vessels.

Adult↗

[Erythromycin and latamoxef in the initial treatment of diffuse peritonitis with visceral failure].

In a thirty months prospective study, 61 patients treated in an Intensive Care Unit received erythromycin (E) (3 g/24 h) and latamoxef (L) (2 g/24 h) as soon as acute peritonitis was surgically confirmed. Five days later, E + L were stopped and nitro-imidazol (NI) was prescribed while searching for a possible infection. The severity of the illness was assessed by clinical study of organ failures and by use of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS). 21 patients died (34%): among them 8 of the 19 with postoperative peritonitis. Average SAPS was 17.8 (+/- 4.1) while it was 13 in 631 ICU treated patients (mortality: 22%). Every patient needed mechanical ventilation; pré or per-operative shock has been noted in 41 (67%) and 27 had developed acute renal failure (44%). During E + L, 6 patients died because of an irreversible shock and twice the treatment was not efficient on the isolated bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus). No more shock developed post-operatively. During NI, 11 secondary infections (20%) were diagnosed (bacteremia = 6, urinary tractus infection = 4, reactivated arthritis = 1). The bacteria were Streptococcus (n = 6) with Enterococcus (n = 5), Staphylococcus (n = 3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2): they were still respectively sensitive to ampicillin, methicillin and ticarcillin. The association E + L was clinically and biologically well tolerated.

Acute Disease↗