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Biomedical subjects

M Bret

Publications and source records attributed to M Bret.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in aortobronchial fistula diagnosis following aortic coarctation reparative surgery. Report of two cases.

Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) is an uncommon complication of aortic coarctation repair which may occur years after successful coarctation correction. It is invariably fatal if not diagnosed and treated. ABF diagnosis poses a challenge for clinicians and radiologists because of the difficulty in detecting the fistula and the risks associated with some of the diagnostic procedures. Two cases of ABF occurring 1 and 20 years after reparative surgery of aortic coarctation are reported. The advantages and disadvantages of different imaging procedures for the evaluation of patients with suspected ABF are reviewed and the role of computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging is underlined.

Adolescent↗

[Obesity and progression of chronic renal insufficiency: a Czech long term prospective double-blind randomised multicentre study].

Obesity represents one of serious risk factors in chronic renal failure patients (CRF). In three years prospective double-blind randomised multicentre study we monitored 66 patients with advanced chronic renal insufficiency, GFR 24.4-37.3 ml/min (0.41 to 0.62 ml/s) and BMI > or = 30 kg/m2 on long term low-protein diet (0.6 P/kg BW/day) and ACEI + ARB. Thirty four randomly selected patients (group I) were treated with keto amino acids, 32 patients in control group (group II) with placebo. During the study period significant decrease of BMI, proteinuria and slowing in progression of renal failure (C(in)) were found. Significant changes were also noted in parameters of albumin and transferrin (p < 0.02), leucin and WQ (p < 0.01 - p < 0.02), glycaemia and HbA1c (p < 0.02), triglycerides (p < 0.01), leptin and ObRe (p < 0.01) and selected parameters of endothelial dysfunction (ET1, p < 0.02, TGFbeta1, p < 0.02). Significantly also decreased PTH value (p < 0.01). Successful treatment of obesity can significantly improve long term prognosis in CRF patients.

Adult↗

T-cell lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chromosome 5 abnormality in a patient with Crohn's disease and lipoid nephrosis.

We describe a 17-year-old patient with a documented history of Crohn's disease (CD) and of minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in whom a diagnosis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was made. The diagnosis of ALL was established by morphological examination of bone-marrow aspirates and confirmed by means of immunophenotypic analysis showing the involvement of T-cell lineage leukemic cells. The lymphoid clone showed a karyotypic abnormality involving the long arm of chromosome 5 in a translocation (5;6). Few cases of CD complicated by ALL have been previously reported. The present one is the first case combining CD and ALL in a patient with a past history of MCNS. This raises the possibility of a relationship among those diseases. The possible mechanisms for such a relationship are discussed here.

Adolescent↗

Acetate-free biofiltration for acute renal failure.

The characteristics of acetate-free biofiltration (AFB) are now well documented in patients with chronic renal failure: hemodynamic tolerance, correction of acid-base imbalance, buffer-free dialysate (without acetate) and absence of backfiltration. This hemodialysis technique can be beneficial to patients with acute renal failure (ARF). In our intensive care unit, we prospectively studied 29 patients with isolated ARF or ARF associated with failure of other organs. All eligible patients were randomly assigned to undergo dialysis with bicarbonate hemodialysis (BH) or with (AFB). All used the same high flux biocompatible dialysis membranes. Effectiveness and hemodynamic tolerance of hemodialysis sessions and evolution of patients were analyzed. Correction of metabolic disorders, although better in the AFB group was not statistically different from that in the BH group. Re-equilibration of acid-base balance was also similar, with or without mechanical ventilation. Heparin consumption was significantly higher in the AFB group, with no effect on haemorrhagic complications. Analysis of hypo- and hypertensive episodes, defined as arterial pressure (AP) variations 20% greater than initial pressure, showed no difference in terms of number or degree of AP variation. However, weight loss and the rate of ultrafiltration led to a higher hypotensive risk in the BH group (p < 0.05). Finally, the clinical course and prognosis was similar in both groups. In summary, AFB may be considered as effective a hemodialysis technique as BH in patients with ARF. Weight loss was better tolerated in the AFB group and can be a favorable factor considering the deleterious effect of overhydration in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. This study invites a comparison of longer dialysis session of AFB therapy and continuous hemodiafiltration.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Intensive regimen of cytokines with interleukin-2 and interferon alfa-2b in selected patients with metastatic renal carcinoma.

We conducted a Phase II trial using an intensive regimen combining interleukin-2 (IL2), interferon-alfa-2b (IFN), and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and the efficacy of this combination in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Thirty-one assessable patients were treated with at least one cycle of a regimen consisting of 20 x 10(6) IU/day s.c. IFN for 5 days, followed 2 days later by i.v. injections of 24 x 10(6) IU/m2/day IL2 every 8 h together with i.v. bolus of 5 x 10(6) IU/m2/day IFN every 8 h during 5 days. After a 6-day break, during which four leukophereses were performed, this i.v. combination was administered along with the LAK cell reinjections for a maximum of 5 days. Twenty-seven patients underwent the two parts of the first course of treatment; respectively, 42% and 46% of the planned dose of IL2 and IFN were administered. Several severe toxicities were observed including two treatment-related deaths. Significant tumor responses were observed in seven patients, including two complete remissions. Two of these patients remain alive without evidence of disease 36 and 40 months after treatment, respectively. This intensive regimen of IL2 together with IFN and LAK cells cannot be recommended even in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. In addition, our results argue against the concept of a dose-response relationship in this setting.

Adult↗

[Can hydroxyethylamidon be used during intensive care of brain-dead organ donors?].

In France, most of the kidney grafts are obtained from brain dead organ donors. Brain death induces numerous changes, especially in haemodynamic status, requiring the infusion of large volumes of fluid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on the organ donors and the kidney graft function in recipients. We compared two groups of brain dead organ donors and the kidney grafts, differing by the infused solutions: either a combination of HES (Elohes, Biosedra) and 4% human albumin solutions (HES group), or albumin alone in the control group (Albumin group). In the two groups, sex-ratio, age, cause of brain death and duration of therapy were similar. Fluid requirements were identical in the two groups: respectively 2,211 +/- 1,512 mL in the Albumin group vs 2,452 +/- 1,094 mL in the HES group (p = 0.17). However, the volume of albumin was significantly decreased in the HES group: 711 +/- 822 mL (p = 0.0001). Therefore the cost was lower in the latter: 638 +/- 633 vs 1766 +/- 788 FF. The coagulation status was not significantly different between the two groups. Amylasemia was higher in the HES group, but the difference was not significant. In the Albumin group, urinary output increased, but not significantly and creatinemia was decreased: 113.9 +/- 62 vs 131.5 +/- 44 mumol.L-1 (p < 0.05). The two groups of recipients were also similar for sex-ratio, age, kind of graft, cause of the chronic renal failure and ischaemia times.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Treatment of acute respiratory failure with non-invasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation in haematological patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether non-invasive positive pressure ventilation delivered intermittently (Ni-IPPV) by means of a facial or nasal mask is beneficial in haematological patients suffering from acute respiratory failure. DESIGN: Prospective, open, non-randomised study. SETTING: University Hospital, medical intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighteen haematological patients with acute respiratory failure which occurred before, during or just after therapeutic aplasia were ventilated with Ni-IPPV delivered via an individual nasal mask or a standard facial mask. Non-invasive ventilation was achieved until weaning (success (S)) or intubation (failure (F)). RESULTS: Twelve patients were ultimately intubated and died (F group). Seven needed intubation within 3 hours following admission because of the inability of Ni-IPPV to provide adequate ventilation in six patients and after cardiac arrest, probably related to cardiac aspergillosis in one patient. Six patients were not intubated and were discharged alive (S group). Of 11 patients who received Ni-IPPV for more than 3 hours, the respiratory rate decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 33 +/- 7 breaths/min to 24 +/- 5 breaths/min with Ni-IPPV and the PaO2 increased significantly from 6.6 +/- 1.7 kPa upon admission to 17.7 +/- 5.5 kPa during Ni-IPPV. Mean daily ventilation was 12 +/- 7 hours for a mean duration of 5.5 +/- 4.4 days. Pressure support was used in nine patients and appeared the most efficient ventilation mode of non-invasive ventilation. The duration per day of Ni-IPPV was shorter and PaCO2 values during Ni-IPPV were lower in the S group than in the F group. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is able to provide adequate ventilatory support for many haematological patients and allows avoidance of ventilation in some.

Acute Disease↗

Patients with metastatic renal carcinoma candidate for immunotherapy with cytokines. Analysis of a single institution study on 181 patients.

This study was performed with the aim of discovering the characteristics and survival of patients with metastatic renal carcinoma who undergo immunotherapy with an Interleukin 2 based regimen. One hundred and eighty-one patients with metastatic renal carcinoma were referred to our institute from October 1987 until August 1991; 129 were treated with Interleukin 2 with or without Interferon alpha in three successive protocols. Fifty-two patients were not treated with immunotherapy due to the exclusion criteria of the protocols. Sixty-four patients with the same disease who had been referred to our institute before the initiation of this programme (1982, 1987) were also analysed as a control group. The main characteristics of the three different cohorts of patients were analysed and compared with univariate statistical tests; the median survival of the patients was calculated and compared. The referral rate increased from 13 a year to 45 a year while the IL2 trials were being conducted. Patients treated with cytokines have a median survival of 18 months after occurrence of metastases, compared to 6 and 8 months, respectively, in excluded patients and the control group. This parameter is of 15 months when the 181 patients, treated with cytokines or not, are considered. The survival of treated vs excluded patients is significantly different (P < 10(-6); so is the survival of the 181 patients recently included when compared to the historical group (P:10(-5). When the 181 recent patients are compared to the historical control group, a number of differences appear in their characteristics, which prevent us from drawing any conclusion about the role of immunotherapy in the improvement of survival observed. This study clearly evidences the selection of the patients receiving immunotherapy and the modification in referrals of a disease induced by a new available therapy. This emphasises the need for prospective studies in this setting.

Adult↗

[Treatment with cytokines of metastatic kidney cancer: the Lyon experience].

Between October 1987 and June 1992, 244 patients with metastatic renal carcinoma were referred to our Institute. One hundred and sixty-nine were included in immunotherapy protocols. The 40 most recent patients were included in the ongoing multicentric randomised Crecy study. The previous patients were treated with IL2 as a continuous infusion or high doses intravenous IL2 combined with alpha interferon (IFN) or a combination of IL2 and IFN as subcutaneous low doses. Some patients received as rescue treatment a combination of IL2 with Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). First line immunotherapy with cytokines gave 14-25% response rates in these patients with 5-10% of complete persistent remissions. The most intensive regimen was responsible for the most severe toxicity as well as the highest response rate. TNF does not appear to be of great concern since its systemic administration induced important limiting toxicities. This work emphasizes the need for prospective studies in order to evaluate the optimal mode and schedule of treatment as well as to investigate the impact of immunotherapy on survival.

Adult↗

[Immunotherapy of metastatic kidney cancer].

Interleukin 2 (IL2), like Interferon alpha (IFN), is active in metastatic renal cancer, considered to be a chemoresistant cancer. 20 to 30% of objective responses, including 5 to 10% of complete remissions are reported with various protocols of IL2 administration. The considerable toxicity is now well controlled, allowing treatments to be administered in standard wards or even on an outpatient basis by subcutaneous injection. IFN, generally given as long-term treatment, achieved average response rates of between 15 and 20%. Although IL2 and IFN have been granted Product Marketing Authorization in France, the modalities of optimal administration, the place of the combination of IL2-Interferon alpha and the factors predictive of response to treatment still remain unclear.

Humans↗