[Tolerance and efficacy of early nicotine substitution after acute coronary syndromes]. / Tolérance et efficacité de la substitution nicotinique précoce au décours d'un syndrome coronaire aigu.

The object of this study was to assess the cardiovascular tolerance and efficacy of early nicotine substitution therapy in 100 patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The files of the first 100 consecutive patients having received nicotine substitution therapy immediately after an ACS were consulted retrospectively and a questionnaire was sent to all patients. A reply was obtained in 90% of cases. In this series, there was a 7% rate of cardiovascular events in the days following hospital discharge, comparable to previously reported results. The smoking relapse rate at six months after the ACS was 38.9%, a percentage which was less than in previously reported series. Although consultations to help stop smoking and nicotine substitution did not seem to have significant benefits in this study, the authors recommend continuing and improving the management of coronary patients who smoke.

[Medications in smoking cessation]. / Médicaments d'aide au sevrage tabagique.

Physicians can aid their patients' smoking cessation by providing psychological support, advice, behavioral strategies, and drugs. Success depends on appropriate management, including selection of the right moment to begin treatment and an understanding of the development of the withdrawal syndrome, smoking urges, and the possibility of failure. The standard pharmacological treatment for nicotine dependence uses different forms of nicotine substitutes and bupropion, while we await data about other drugs currently under study. The score on the "simplified" Fagerström questionnaire usually determines the initial nicotine dose. Six forms of nicotine substitutes are available. They provide either prolonged nicotine release (transcutaneous patches) that prevents withdrawal symptoms, or rapid release through the buccal and nasal mucosa (chewing gum, suckers, inhalers and nasal sprays) to anticipate the positive effects represented by cigarettes and the urges occurring during withdrawal. The efficacy of these substitutes, widely studied, is approximately twice that of placebo. Their use is no longer contraindicated in patients with heart disease, when necessary. Bupropion should be used in treating nicotine dependence either as a first-line treatment, or if nicotine substitutes (150 mg/d the first week, 300 mg/d thereafter) fail. The combination of bupropion and nicotine substitutes can be considered, either from the outset for heavy or very heavy smokers, or afterwards, if withdrawal symptoms or urges to smoke persist in subjects treated by only one of these two drug classes. One of the new drugs under evaluation is rimonabant, the first representatives of a new class of drugs, selective CB1 endocannabinoid receptor antagonists. Promising results about its use in smoking cessation were released in 2004.

[Evaluation of postoperative mortality and quality of life of patients over 75 years of age after valve replacement for aortic stenosis. Report of 110 cases]. / Evaluation de la mortalité et de la qualité de vie postopératoire des sujets de plus de 75 ans après remplacement valvulaire pour rétrécissement aortique. A propos de 110 cas.

The authors carried out a retrospective study of short and long-term mortality after aortic valve replacement and assessed the quality of life by the IRIS scale in patients over 75 years of age operated for severe aortic stenosis at the University Hospital of Brest between June 1990 and March 1995. The hospital files of 110 consecutive patients (71 women, 39 men; average age 78 +/- 2 years, range 75-85 years) were studied. The pre- per- and postoperative data was studied. Each survivor was contacted by telephone during the year 2000 and a health and IRIS quality of life questionnaire was sent to them. Precise information about patients who had died was obtained from the family and/or medical practitioner. In the preoperative period, 30.9% of patients had left ventricular failure. The average aortic valve surface area was 0.53 +/- 0.12 cm2. Of the patients who underwent coronary angiography (60%), one third had significant coronary lesions. Coronary artery bypass surgery was associated with aortic valve replacement in 10% of cases. Biological prostheses were used in 108 patients. The operative mortality was 8.2%. One year, 5 year and 10 year survival rates were 89.9%, 75.5% and 33.3% respectively. Of the survivors, 16.7% were in institutional care and 83.3% lived at home. A total of 77.8% were readmitted to hospital, about half of them for cardiac problems. Cardiac treatment was prescribed for 97% of patients. The quality of life questionnaire was completed by 35 patients: the quality of life was better than average in nearly 83% of these patients. Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis in patients over 75 years of age improves life expectancy which is almost the same as that of the normal population of the same age, and improves the quality of life by restoring functional autonomy, enabling the majority of them to live in their own houses most of the time.