Pharmacokinetics of lidocaine with epinephrine in piglets following epidural anaesthesia.

The time course of arterial plasma lidocaine concentration, following an epidural anaesthesia via the sacrococcygeal or the S4-S5 trans-sacral approach, was studied in nine healthy piglets (7.8 +/- 1.3 weeks). Plasma lidocaine concentrations were measured for up to six hours after administration (5 mg/kg). Peak plasma concentration was 1.83 +/- 0.17 mg/l. Pharmacokinetic parameters determined from an independent compartment model were not different from those observed after an epidural administration of lidocaine via the sacrococcygeal space in children, except for a wide variability in the time taken to reach the maximum concentration (27.3 +/- 7.4 min) and a shorter half-life of elimination (82.8 +/- 7.0 min). The total body clearance of lidocaine was similar in piglets (17.3 +/- 1.6 ml/min/kg) to that in children. The shorter half-life of elimination was therefore attributed to a smaller volume of distribution in piglets (2.0 +/- 0.2 l/kg).

Incidence of anaerobes in ventilator-associated pneumonia with use of a protected specimen brush.

The role of anaerobic bacteria in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been little investigated. In this study we analyzed the incidence of anaerobes in patients with a first episode of bacteriologically documented VAP (> 10(3)CFU/ml), using protected specimen brushes (PSB). We particularly took care to preserve anaerobic conditions during transport and the microbiological procedure. Two groups were considered: group A with anaerobic bacteria recovered from PSB, with or without anaerobes, and group B with aerobic bacteria only. One hundred and thirty patients were included, 30 (23%) in group A, and 100 (77%) in group B. The main anaerobic strains isolated were Prevotella melaninogenica (36%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (17%), and Veillonella parvula (12%). Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients in group A were younger than those in group B (p < 0.05) and their simplified acute physiologic score was higher (p < 0.02). The percentage of patients receiving antibiotics before PSB did not differ significantly between group A (57%) and group B (35%). VAP with anaerobes occurred more often in patients orotracheally intubated than nasotracheally intubated (p < 0.02). Episodes of VAP involving anaerobic bacteria occurred more often in the first five days (early VAP) than after the fifth day (late VAP) (p < 0.05). The 3-mo mortality rate was similar in the two groups, but death occurred earlier in group B (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that presence of altered level of consciousness (p = 0.0002), higher simplified acute physiologic score (p = 0.003), and admission to the medical ICU (p = 0.02) were the factors independently predisposing to the development of VAP with anaerobes.

Anatomic and radiologic bases of combined transplantation of liver and small intestine in the pig.

In order to assess the tolerance induced by hepatic transplantation in a multivisceral graft, a model of a transplant combining the liver and small intestine was developed in the pig, using animals of Large White Isogroup O, typed in the system of major incompatibility as "Swine lymphocyte antigen" (SLA), whose weight varied from 30 to 40 kg. In order to limit the duration of warm ischemia, dissection of the graft was performed on the donor animal with respect for the following anatomic features: absence of intestinal attachment to the posterior parietal peritoneum, anti-clockwise torsion of 360 degrees of the intestine around the superior mesenteric a. with the small intestine convolutions on the right and the colonic helix on the left. The bifid pancreas follows this rotation and its resection must respect the vascularisation of the proximal small intestine; the hepatic a. arises from a common trunk with a gastrosplenic branch of the aorta between the crura of the diaphragm and travels sagittally from behind forward toward the liver pedicle, which it reaches ar the upper border of the duodenum; the hepatic a. and its branches are dorsal in relation to the portal vein; the hepatic arterial distribution follows a right-left and antero-posterior systematisation for the six hepatic lobes of this quadruped animal.

[Continuous hemofiltration in the treatment of acute kidney failure in multiple organ failure]. / Hémofiltration continue dans le traitement de l'insuffisance rénale aiguë au cours de défaillance polyviscérale.

Twenty-nine patients with acute renal failure and multiple organ failure were treated with continuous arterio-venous or veno-venous haemofiltration for a period of 6 +/- 5 days. Sixteen of these patients were improved and haemofiltration was withdrawn, but secondary worsening occurred in 8 cases. The method is well tolerated by the cardiovascular system and provides a satisfactory metabolic control. The low patient's survival rate (27 percent) is due to the severity of the disease. In the absence of controlled studies, it is difficult to assert that continuous haemofiltration is better than conventional haemodialysis.

[Abdominal aortic aneurysm detected by a consumption coagulopathy]. / Anévrysme de l'aorte abdominale révélé par une coagulopathie de consommation.

Consumption coagulopathy with clinical symptoms reveals aortic arterial aneurysm in less than 5%. Aneurysmal repair with graft is able to remove hemostasis abnormalities for a long time. The physiopathology of these abnormalities is described here through the study of an operated case. It is questionable to use heparinotherapy as exclusive treatment for non operated patients. Heparinotherapy during perioperative period is also a matter of debate. Surgical implications of the consumption coagulopathy are listed: preoperative plasma and platelets transfusions, fibrinogen and antithrombin III perfusions, meticulous hemostasis, minor dissection, use of a women graft. Coagulation disorders disappear before the first postoperative week. Persistent or recurrent consumption coagulopathy invite us to look for a pathological association which often turns out to be a neoplasm.

[Intestinal perforation occurring at the beginning of treatment: a severe complication of bacillary tuberculosis]. / Perforations intestinales survenant en début de traitement: une complication grave des tuberculoses bacillifères.

We report 2 cases of intestinal perforation caused by tuberculosis and affecting the small intestine in one case and the colon in the other case. The patients were men aged 49 and 51 years respectively. Both were cachectic and presented with advanced open pulmonary tuberculosis. Perforation in free peritoneal cavity occurred 2 and 8 days respectively after an antituberculous treatment was initiated. The outcome was rapidly fatal in both cases. Tuberculous enteritis has become rare, but it can still be observed in patients with severe open pulmonary tuberculosis, where the gastro-intestinal tract is contaminated by the large number of virulent mycobacteria swallowed. In such patients clinicians must be alert to abdominal premonitory signs. Intestinal perforations in free peritoneal cavity are uncommon. Most perforation are small, single or multiple, and located on the antimesenteric side of the terminal ileum. They may occur at any time, and particularly just after an antituberculous therapy has been instituted. Clinical presentation is one of acute peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy. Mortality has been reduced by technical improvements, notably temporary enterostomy, but perforation remains a serious and often fatal complication of tuberculosis in patients with severe malnutrition.

[Can septicemia and ascitic fluid infections in cirrhotic patients be treated by the oral route alone?]. / Les septicémies et les infections du liquide d'ascite du cirrhotique peuvent-elles être traitées exclusivement par voie orale?

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral antibiotics in the treatment of severe infections in cirrhosis. Twenty-two patients (17 males, 5 females) with spontaneous bacteremia (n = 7) or bacterial peritonitis (n = 15) were treated with oral pefloxacin 400 mg per 24 hr alone (n = 1) or in combination with another oral antibiotic, trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (n = 13), amoxicillin (n = 6), cefadroxil (n = 2), or metronidazole (n = 1). In patients with spontaneous bacteremia, all organisms were found to be sensitive to oral antibiotics, and a favorable response was elicited in 6 out of 7 (86 p. cent) within 3 days (mean) of treatment. In patients with spontaneous peritonitis, ascitic fluid cultures were positive in 11 cases, and organisms were sensitive to pefloxacin in 9 out of 11 cases. A favorable response was elicited in 13 out of 15 within 2 to 8 days of treatment. Fourteen patients died (64 p. cent), 3 of infection (bacteremia n = 1, peritonitis n = 2), and 11 patients of causes unrelated to infection, mainly variceal hemorrhage, hepatorenal syndrome or hepatocellular carcinoma, although the clinical symptoms of infection were controlled. One-year survival was 57 p. cent in patients with bacteremia and 33 p. cent in those with bacterial peritonitis. Oral treatment was well tolerated in all patients. We suggest that most bacteremia and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients can be treated with oral antibiotics. In some patients, this may be accomplished on an out patient basis.

[Major hypertriglyceridemia, associated with severe acute pancreatitis, successfully treated with plasma exchange]. / Hypertriglycéridémie majeure, associée à une pancréatite aiguë grave, traitée avec succès par échanges plasmatiques.

A 27 year-old alcoholic patient with severe acute pancreatitis (4 Ranson's objective prognostic signs), complained of abdominal pain and vomiting and presented fever and rigors. The plasma was of milky turbidity and the concentration of triglycerides (TG) very high (26 Mmol/l, Normal: 3-1.6). Serum pancreatic amylase was elevated (262 U/l, Normal: 10-200). The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed S-T depression. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography which showed a pancreatic phlegmon and a collection in the left pararenal space (Ranson's grade D). After PE on days 1 and 2: the amylase became normal, plasma clear, TG decreased (7.8 Mmol/l), the clinical picture improved and the ECG normal. Assisted ventilation was necessary over 10 days. Pancreatic morphology remained unchanged. The patient was discharged to intensive care on day 18. There was no indication for surgery. The fast drop in TG levels, the precursors of free fatty acids, may have limited their toxicity the pancreas, allowing a difficult stage to be over come and the course of the illness to interrupted. Normalization of the ECG requires emphasis. The association of HG, increased plasma amylase and abdominal pain justifies early iterative PE.

[Reversible paraplegia following intrathecal injection of high doses of human gammaglobulins in the treatment of low-grade tetanus. 4 cases]. / Paraplégie réversible après injection intrathécale de fortes doses de gammaglobulines humaines lors du traitement de tétanos de faible gravité. Quatre observations.

Intrathecal serotherapy appears to be effective in the treatment of tetanus, and it has been claimed that human immune globulins are innocuous. In the 4 cases reported here reversible paraplegia developed a few hours after intrathecal injection of 1500 to 2000 UI of human immune globulins prepared by the French Blood Transfusion Centre. We believe that paraplegia was related to the high doses administered. The fact that intrathecal serotherapy is normally used in severely ill patients whose impaired consciousness precludes motricity and sensitivity testing may explain why this complication has not previously been reported. The need for high doses of intrathecal immune globulins is discussed. It has recently been suggested that high doses are superior to low doses. We consider that this form of treatment is justified, even in the least severe forms of tetanus, but we feel that doses higher than 1000 IU are not without danger.

[Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy occurring during treatment with carbamazepine. 2 cases]. / Lymphadénopathie dysimmunitaire survenant au cours d'un traitement par la carbamazépine. Deux observations.

Dysimmune lymphadenopathies during carbamazepine treatment. A report of two cases. We report on two cases of dysimmune lymphadenopathies with histological aspect of angio immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIL) developing after administration of carbamazepine. Clinical manifestations consisted of fever, erythroderma, generalized pruritus, facial edema, lymphadenopathy, liver enlargement. The two patients had anemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, impaired liver function and a negative Coomb's test. Lymphocyte stimulation test with carbamazepine in vitro was positive in both cases. Lymph node biopsy disclosed the angioimmunoblastic proliferation characteristic of AIL. After discontinuing carbamazepine, a complete remission was obtained.

[Arterial hypertension with secondary hyperaldosteronism, reversible by nifedipine, in systemic scleroderma]. / Hypertension artérielle avec hyperaldostéronisme secondaire réversible sous nifédipine au cours d'une sclérodermie généralisée.

A case of severe hypertension with secondary hyperaldosteronism developing in a 71 year old woman affected by "Crest" syndrome is reported. The patient was treated by nifedipine, which led to the correction of blood pressure, plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone. The role of renal arteries vasospasm and renin-angiotension system in the genesis of scleroderma is discussed.