Impact of hydroxychloroquine on preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a descriptive cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on fetal preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in a cohort of pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Over an 11-year period (January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2011), all women with SLE and admitted to deliver after 22 weeks of gestation to Bordeaux University Hospital (France), were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. The population was then split into two groups based on the treatment they received: HCQ exposed (HCQ+) versus HCQ non-exposed (HCQ-) group. RESULTS: 118 pregnancies were included, 41 in the HCQ+ group and 77 in the HCQ- group. The rate of adverse fetal outcome was significantly lower in the HCQ+ group (p = 0.001), particularly in terms of preterm delivery, 15.8% versus 44.2% (p = 0.006), and IUGR, 10.5% versus 28.6% (p = 0.03). No adverse outcomes were reported in the HCQ+ group. CONCLUSION: HCQ reduces neonatal morbidity in women with SLE by significantly decreasing the rate of prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction.

Target-controlled induction with 2.5% sevoflurane does not avoid the risk of electroencephalographic abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Epileptiform discharges (ED) can occur during sevoflurane induction, especially in young female patients and when high alveolar concentrations are used. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low sevoflurane concentration reduces the occurrence of ED in female patients. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients scheduled for minor gynecological surgery were prospectively included and randomized in two groups. In group A, anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane inspired 8% manually set via the circuit of the Zeus(®) (Dräger Medical, Lübeck, Germany) anesthesia workstation (fresh gas flow 8L.min(-1)) for 2min and then 2.5%. In group B, induction was performed by target-controlled inhalation with a target end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane set at 2.5% (fresh gas flow in auto-control mode). Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded in the operating room throughout induction till two min after intubation and analyzed off-line by a neurophysiologist blinded to the randomization. RESULTS: ED occurred in five patients (15%): one in group A and four in group B (P>0.05). ED occurred with a median delay of 303 s [25-75 interquartiles: 135-418] and the median duration of ED episode was 13 s [3-78]. Fifteen patients had abnormal movements without simultaneous EEG abnormality. CONCLUSION: Induction of anesthesia with low target concentration of sevoflurane (2.5%) fails to totally prevent the occurrence of ED in young female patients and should be used carefully in this population.

[Epidural labor analgesia and parturient with type 2B von Willebrand disease]. / Analgésie péridurale obstétricale et maladie de Willebrand de type 2B.

Type 2B von Willebrand disease (vWD) is an inherited bleeding syndrome resulting from a qualitative abnormality of von Willebrand Factor with an increased affinity for the glycoprotein Ib platelet receptor. Pregnancy increases the severity of this disease by decreasing the platelet count restricting epidural anaesthesia because of adverse risk of spinal bleeding. There is a phenotypic variability of Type 2B vWD depending of the von Willebrand Factor mutation. We report here the strategy we used to administer epidural anaesthesia for a patient with Type 2B vWD resulting from the P1337L mutation of von Willebrand Factor.

Side effects of spiramycin masquerading as local anesthetic toxicity during labor epidural analgesia.

Significant fetal bradycardia occurred when a parturient receiving labor epidural analgesia experienced generalized numbness and tingling, a metallic taste and hot flushes. An emergent cesarean delivery under general anesthesia was performed with favorable outcomes for the mother and baby. The most likely source of the maternal symptoms was spiramycin, which was being administered for treatment of toxoplasmosis.

[Influence of the fascia iliaca compartment block on postoperative cognitive status in the elderly]. / Bloc iliofascial et troubles cognitifs postopératoires chez la personne âgée.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a regional analgesia technique on the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after hip surgery, in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients, aged over 65 years, were assigned in two groups according to the anaesthesia technique: group NKT (general anaesthesia with target concentration infusion of propofol and remifentanil, with a 0.1 mg/kg-bolus of morphine at the end of surgery), group KT (preoperative iliaca compartment block with catheter and then general anaesthesia without bolus of morphine). Postoperative analgesia was similar in both groups: paracetamol, tramadol, and subcutaneous morphine if verbal pain scale equal or greater than 2 (0.1 mg/kg). POCD was defined as a decrease in Mini Mental Status (MMSE) equal or greater than 2 points and was monitored during 2 days. Consumption of opioids, pain scores and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included: 34 in NKT group and 31 in KT group. MMSE scores were higher in the KT group at day 1 and day 2 (p=0.01 and 0.0004, respectively). POCD was less frequent in group KT at day 2 (6 % vs 41 % ; p=0.001) and pain scores were lower during the first 48 hours (p=0.03). Remifentanil consumption was lower in KT group (0.43+/-0.18 mg vs 0.61+/-0.25 mg, p=0.002). Total amount of morphine, including the bolus in NKT group, was significantly lower in KT group (7 [5-17] mg vs 0 [0-5] mg, p<10(-6)). CONCLUSION: Postoperative analgesia by iliaca compartment block with catheter seems to provide a decrease in the incidence of POCD after hip surgery in elderly patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational study.

[Acute traumatic haemorrhagic shock and transfusion: what's new in 2009?]. / Prise en charge transfusionnelle du choc hémorragique d'origine traumatique à la phase aiguë: quoi de neuf en 2009 ?

In spite of continuous progress in surgery and in interventional radiology, massive haemorrhage remains a leading cause of death in traumatology. The transfusional strategy appears a key step in the treatment of haemorrhagic shock. In the light of new insights into the pathophysiology of coagulopathies associated with traumatic shock it seems reasonable to transfuse patients with haemorrhagic shock earlier than previously recommended.

[Congenital factor VII deficiency and subarachnoidal haemorrhage due to intracranial aneurysm: a case report]. / Hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne par rupture d'anévrisme et déficit en facteur VII, à propos d'un cas.

The management of subarachnoid haemorrhage by aneurysm rupture is well codified. Some rare cases can be problematical. We report a case of a patient suffering from factor VII (FVII) deficiency who presented a subarachnoid haemorrhage by sylvian aneurysm rupture. The bleeding risk was prevented by plasmatic factor VII substitution and aneurysm coiling. Anticoagulation in order to prevent from thromboembolic risk after embolisation was started for 36 hours, associated with plasmatic FVII substitution (with an objective of plasmatic FVII rate of 30%). After this stage at high thromboembolic risk, there has been no shift to platelet antiaggregants and FVII substitution was stopped. The outcome at 1 month was propitious without any bleeding nor arterial thrombosis.

[Use of activated recombinant FVII in the control of haemorrhage following trauma]. / Contrôle d'une hémorragie traumatique persistante par le facteur VII activé recombinant.

Uncontrolled haemorrhage is a major cause of death in trauma patients: sometimes inaccessible to surgery and often associated with coagulopathy. We report a case of severe blunt pelvic trauma associated with suicide. The conventional treatments were unsuccessful and embolization was impossible. The patient required massive blood product transfusion. A 100 microg/kg recombinant activated factor VII dose was infused, twice. After administration of the first dose, the blood requirement decreased dramatically. Further work and trials are required to assess the safety profile and dose regimen for this drug.