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Biomedical subjects

E Picard

Publications and source records attributed to E Picard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Amplification of immunologic reactions using catalytic deposition at the reaction sites of tyramine derivatives. A decisive gain in sensitivity in immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization].

In the catalyzed reporter deposition technique, horseradish peroxidase catalyzes the activation of conjugated phenolic compounds resulting in the covalent binding of the radicalized intermediates to electron rich moieties in the protein molecules present at the site of reaction. Comparing the biotinyl-, digoxigeninyl-, and fluoresceinyl-derivatives of tyramine and four immunohistochemical formats, we showed that the most sensitive detection system was that using biotinyl-tyramide and an immunohistochemical technique using a biotinylated secondary antibody followed by a streptavidin peroxidase. Amplification without background staining was obtained in most biotin rich tissues with digoxigeninyl-tyramide. With fluoresceinyl-tyramide, clear signal amplification was observed in the fluorescent microscope. Finally, when compared with standard methods, increased sensitivity was obtained with the fluorescent derivative for detection of hybridized sequences in interphase chromosomes.

Binding Sites↗

[An unusual bronchial foreign body: a fragment of a tracheostomy tube].

A fragment of a fractured tracheostomy tube as a foreign body in the bronchus is very unusual. We report an 18-year old male with Hunter's syndrome who presented with fever and bronchorrhea. He had worn a tracheostomy tube for 2 years without its being removed for cleaning. Chest X-ray showed an opaque foreign body in the right main bronchus which was removed through a flexible bronchoscope and found to be a piece of the broken edge of the outer cannula of a tracheostomy tube. We suggest regular examination of tracheostomy tubes for signs of wear-and-tear and recommend their periodic renewal before they become worn out.

Adolescent↗

[Paraplegia after surgical treatment of primary aorto-duodenal fistula].

A 68-year-old patient with chronic cirrhosis underwent surgical repair of the subrenal abdominal aorta presenting an aorto-duodenal fistula. The fistula was considered to be a primary fistula because it occurred without prior surgery and because the aorta had ruptured without formation of an aneurysm. The postoperative period was complicated by paraplegia further compromising the outcome in this severe condition. In general, there are several problems involved in the management of aorto-duodenal fistulae. Neither computed tomography of the abdomen nor gastroduodenal endoscopy are able to provide the diagnosis in all cases before surgery. Surgical treatment is most often conducted in an emergency setting requiring repair of both the digestive tract and of the vascular lesions. It is also important to recognize the risk of neurological events occurring intra-operatively. Prognosis is usually poor.

Aged↗

Bilateral splenorenal bypass and axillofemoral graft for management of juxtarenal mycotic aneurysm.

The principles of treatment of mycotic aortic aneurysms are not well established and the optimal method of revascularization--extra-anatomic bypass or in situ grafting--is still debated. Infection of the juxtarenal or suprarenal aorta poses an additional challenge in management because of the requirement for visceral revascularization. The case of a 73-year-old man is reported who developed several mycotic aneurysms of the juxtarenal, infrarenal aorta and right main iliac artery following a Candida infection. He was successfully treated with suprarenal aortic ligation, aneurysmal excision, splenorenal bilateral bypass and systemic antifungal therapy. The patient subsequently underwent extra-anatomic revascularization of the lower extremities with a left axillobifermoral bypass involving a polytetrafluoroethylene graft.

Aged↗

Sequential respiratory syncytial virus and cytomegalovirus pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation.

A 6-month-old child with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) experienced early sequential pneumonia due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The patient was deficient in natural killer (NK) cell activity (as found frequently in patients with FHL), and this risk factor may have played a major role in the concomitant infection by the two viral pathogens. Rapid diagnostic methods for both viruses are essential and early specific treatment may serve to ameliorate RSV- and CMV-induced lung injury in these life-threatening infections.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Sensitivity and specificity of oropharyngeal suction versus bronchoalveolar lavage in identifying respiratory tract pathogens in children with chronic pulmonary infection.

The purpose of this study was to compare the pathogens obtained by oropharyngeal suction (OPS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in children with chronic pulmonary infections. Forty-four children (mean age of 6.1 years; range 4 months to 15 years) were included in the study (27 children with recurrent localized lung infection, 5 with bronchiectasis, 5 with cystic fibrosis, 2 with foreign body aspiration, 2 with bronchiolitis obliterans, and 3 with recurrent episodes of cough and shortness of breath). In 27 out of 44 BAL samples (61%) bacterial cultures were positive. The sensitivity of OPS in detecting the same BAL pathogen was 89% (24/27 samples), the specificity was 94% (16/17 samples), and the predictive value was 91% (40/44 samples). Hemophilus influenzae beta-lactamase negative was the main organism recovered from BAL in non-cystic fibrosis patients with recurrent or persistent pneumonia. We conclude that OPS is a simple and efficient noninvasive procedure which may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent or chronic pulmonary infection.

Bacterial Infections↗

Use of active shunt for surgical repair of intrapericardial inferior vena caval injury.

We report a case of intrapericardial inferior vena caval disruption due to goring by a bull, and we describe the surgical repair of this uncommon penetrating cardiac injury. Review of the literature indicates that, as with other penetrating cardiac injuries, this rare lesion requires aggressive treatment involving an emergency thoracotomy. The use of an atrial caval active shunt was necessary for successful surgical management, and therefore we conclude that surgical treatment of this lesion is comparable with surgical repair of hepatic veins and retrohepatic vena caval injuries incurred during blunt vascular trauma or penetrating abdominal injuries.

Adult↗

Membranous tracheal rupture after endotracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial rupture after tracheal intubation has been infrequently reported. We report 6 cases of membranous tracheal rupture after endotracheal intubation treated at our institution over 7 years. METHODS: Overinflation of the tracheal cuff was speculated to be a frequent cause of the tracheal damage because the lesion was always a linear laceration of the posterior membranous wall. The diagnosis was suspected on the basis of common signs such as subcutaneous emphysema, respiratory distress, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was the best means of confirming the diagnosis and determining the location and extent of the lesion. In 5 patients, extensive laceration with severe respiratory disorders required emergent repair through a right posterolateral thoracotomy. RESULTS: There were two postoperative deaths unrelated to the tracheal lesion. A patient with a small tracheal defect and favorable clinical presentation showed a rapid positive outcome after conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal intubation-related airway ruptures are rare but probably underestimated. Early recognition and emergent repair are essential, because failure to do so could result in potentially lethal events.

Adult↗

Comparison of adenosine 5'-monophosphate and methacholine for the differentiation of asthma from chronic airway diseases with the use of the auscultative method in very young children.

Methacholine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate bronchial challenges were performed in 54 young children--39 with asthma and 15 with other chronic airway diseases (CADs), with the use of the auscultative method. Children with asthma were sensitive to both methacholine and adenosine; children with CAD responded only to methacholine. We conclude that bronchial challenge with adenosine can help differentiate asthma from CAD in young children.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: influence of intraoperative management on surgical outcome.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the influence of changes in intraoperative management on the outcome of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). METHODS: Retrospective review of our surgical experience of RAAA identified 61 patients and was separated into two periods: 1986 to 1988 (group 1 [n = 21 patients]) and 1989 to 1994 (group 2 [n = 40 patients]). Since 1989 operations have been conducted by two vascular surgeons without systemic administration of heparin and with control of suprarenal aorta if extensive hematoma is present, use of collagen-impregnated grafts, preferential repair with aortoaortic grafting, and routine use of intraoperative autotransfusion. RESULTS: Factors differing between the groups were use of intraoperative autotransfusion (4.76% in group 1 vs 80% in group 2, p < 0.00001), repair with tube grafting (42.8% in group 1 vs 80% in group 2, p = 0.003), number of packed homologous red blood cells (7.5 +/- 5.2 units in group 1 vs 3.1 +/- 3.6 units in group 2, p = 0.008), postoperative blood loss (365 +/- 705 ml in group 1 vs 133 +/- 351 ml in group 2, p = 0.01). The intraoperative mortality rate was significantly lower in group 2 (5% vs 28.6%, p = 0.016). The only predictive factor was the use of intraoperative autotransfusion with a lower mortality rate in patients undergoing autotransfusion (p = 0.029). The postoperative mortality rate was significantly lower in group 2 (20% vs 52.4%, p = 0.009). Predictive factors were use of intraoperative autotransfusion (p = 0.0009), age of the patients (p = 0.0039), and repair with tube graft (p = 0.039). The odds ratio of postoperative death was 25 times higher without intraoperative autotransfusion and seven times lower when a tube graft was used. CONCLUSION: Continuing efforts to achieve improvement in surgical technique and use of intraoperative autotransfusion were important determinants in lowering the postoperative mortality rate of RAAA to 20%.

Aged↗

Aortic valve repair with fibrin glue for type A acute aortic dissection.

Repair of the acute aortic insufficiency associated with type A aortic dissection is now preferred to valve replacement. This is generally achieved by resuspending the aortic valve using different types of suturing techniques, with sutures usually passing through the aortic wall, which causes bleeding at the suture sites. We suggest, instead, simply injecting fibrin glue between the two dissected layers of the aortic annulus, which achieves resuspension of the aortic valve and reinforces the proximal stump without the need for any sutures. To evaluate the efficacy of this simple technique, the cases of 15 consecutive patients who underwent operative intervention for the treatment of the type A aortic dissection associated with acute aortic insufficiency between January 1989 and July 1993 were reviewed. The mean patient age was 63 +/- 11.2 years (range, 43 to 74 years). All had massive 3+ or 4+ aortic insufficiency, documented pre-operatively by transesophageal echocardiography. None had any history of aortic regurgitation. In all patients, the aortic repair was done in conjunction with a supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta with a collagen-impregnated graft attached using a running suture, after reinforcement of the dissected tissues with glue. There was one non-valve-related early death (6.7%) and no late mortality. At a mean follow-up of 2.3 years, all patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I and had a mean aortic insufficiency grade of 0.3 (range, 0 to 1+). Follow-up computed tomography in all patients showed closure of the dissecting process on the proximal ascending aorta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare condition in childhood usually attributed to drugs. We describe a 4-month-old infant who developed typical clinical and histologic findings of TEN concomitantly with Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis. We emphasize that in cases of acute, severe exfoliative disease in infants, apart from staphylococcal infection, gram-negative bacterial sepsis must also be considered.

Bacteremia↗

Repair of the aortic arch with fibrin glue in type A aortic dissection.

Location of the intimal tear in the aortic arch in type A aortic dissection is for many authors an indication for replacement of the aortic arch, but this operation has a high in-hospital mortality rate: 20% to 40%. Instead, we suggest repairing the aortic arch by injecting fibrin glue, which contains a human sealer protein concentrate, between the two dissected layers under circulatory arrest while replacing the ascending aorta. To evaluate this technique, we reviewed 45 successive patients operated on for type A acute aortic dissection between January 1989 and July 1993, of which 6 had the intimal tear located on or extending into the aortic arch. Mean age was 71 +/- 4.2 years (range 68 to 74). After proximal supracoronary anastomosis with a collagen-impregnated graft, aortic arch repair was achieved by injecting fibrin glue between the two layers, using circulatory arrest at a mean temperature of 22 degrees C, with a mean duration of 24 minutes. This obliterated the dissection in the arch and also the intimal flap. The distal part of the graft was then anastomosed to the proximal portion of the aortic arch at the origin of the innominate artery under circulatory arrest. There were no early or late deaths. All patients were asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 2.6 years. Follow-up angioscan showed obliteration of the dissection in the aortic arch in all patients; there were two patients with dilatation of the distal aortic arch of 40 and 45 mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

[Value of the superior trans-septal approach in mitral valve replacements].

Mitral valve exposure is widely improved by the superior-transseptal approach (STS). The diffusion of this technique has been restricted because of the possibility of detrimental effects of sino-atrial arrhythmias, especially in patients in sinus rhythm preoperatively. Between April 1991 and December 1992, we performed mitral valve replacement (MVR) on 55 patients by an STS approach. The mean age was 57.7 +/- 11.3 years (38-75 years). 21 were reoperations and 1 patient had been operated twice. The procedure consisted in 10 MVR with a bioprosthetic valve and 45 with a mechanical valve. Associated procedures were 5 tricuspid annuloplasties, 13 aortic valve replacements, 1 tricuspid valve replacement, 4 CABG, and 1 aneurysm resection. Overall hospital mortality was 9.1 +/- 3.8% (5/55). Mortality for isolated MVR was 6.2 +/- 4.2% (2/32). 51% (28/55) were in sinus rhythm (SR) preoperatively, 43% (12/28) of them had never presented atrial fibrillation. Postoperatively among those 28 patients in SR, 20 remained in SR, 7 were in atrial fibrillation, and 1 in atrial flutter. 3.6% (2/55) needed transient electrosystolic pacing for very slow atrial fibrillation 20% (11/55) have presented a transient sino-atrial dysfunction; None of these rhythmic events had any adverse effect. Finally, the very good visibility and accessibility are the major advantages of this approach, especially in mitro-tricuspid combined procedures, in small left atrium and repeat surgery. As sino-atrial arrhythmias are transient, we think this approach can be routinely employed in MVR.

Adult↗

Birth weight discordance, intrauterine growth retardation and perinatal outcomes in twins.

In a population-based study, the association between twin perinatal outcome, birth weight discordance and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was investigated. Mortality was examined in 1,145 twin pairs, and neonatal morbidity was studied in 315 live-born pairs. In this study, birth weight discordance was defined as > or = 25% of the weight of the heavier twin, and IUGR was defined as < 10th percentile of gender- and gestational age-specific singleton birth weight. In univariate analyses IUGR and discordance were associated with mortality but not with morbidity. When twins were categorized by discordance and IUGR simultaneously, stillbirths were associated with IUGR, while discordant twins had elevated risks of early neonatal death. In multiple logistic regression analyses, which also included gestational age, mode of delivery, birth order, birth weight discordance and IUGR, low birth weight was the single consistent factor associated with elevated risks of mortality and morbidity. For every 250-g increase in birth weight, the risks for each condition examined fell by about 40%. Discordance was an independent risk factor only for hypoglycemia, while IUGR was not associated with any neonatal outcome. Birth weight itself seems to be the most important factor associated with perinatal outcome in twin births. Therefore, the weight of the individual fetus should be the focus of concern of the medical profession in the effort to reduce adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies.

Analysis of Variance↗