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Biomedical subjects

C Legendre

Publications and source records attributed to C Legendre.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Impact and evolution of peliosis hepatis in renal transplant recipients.

Peliosis hepatis and hepatic sinusoidal dilatations are rare vascular liver diseases that occur at increased frequency in kidney transplant recipients. We retrospectively evaluated in kidney transplant recipients the natural history of vascular liver diseases, their impact on patient and graft survival, and the influence of AZA withdrawal. Between 1970 and 1990, vascular liver disease was diagnosed in 32 cadaver kidney transplant recipients 1-128 months after transplantation (mean 41 months). Diagnosis was based on histology in all cases. Patients received conventional immunosuppression (high dose steroids and AZA). Twenty patients had a minor form (sinusoidal dilatations or focal peliosis), while 12 had a major form (diffuse peliosis) of vascular hepatic disease. Two patients were lost to follow-up and 1 died at the time of diagnosis. In 12 patients (group 1), AZA dosage remained unchanged, while it was interrupted at the time of diagnosis in 17 patients (group 2). Five group 1 patients underwent serial liver biopsies, which showed persistence of vascular hepatic disease in 3 (with regenerative nodular hyperplasia in 1) and disappearance in 2 patients. Eight group 2 patients underwent serial liver biopsies, which showed disappearance of vascular hepatic disease in 6 patients and persistence in 2. Moreover, regenerative nodular hyperplasia was noted in 1 case, perisinusoidal fibrosis in 1 case, and cirrhosis in 6 cases. Three patients of group 1 and 11 patients of group 2 returned to dialysis a mean of 21 and 39 months after diagnosis, respectively. Eight patients died and death was clearly associated with major peliosis in 2 cases. In kidney transplant recipients, vascular hepatic disease may be associated with high mortality, especially in major forms. Our findings indicate that peliosis hepatis may lead to severe fibrosing liver lesions. The course of vascular hepatic disease is not clearly modified by AZA withdrawal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Peripheral microchimerism in long-term cadaveric-kidney allograft recipients.

Microchimerism after allogeneic organ transplantation may be a mechanism for induction of donor-specific graft acceptance. However, the frequency of chimerism and its relevance in long-term tolerance are uncertain. We studied 15 long-surviving (more than 20 years) cadaveric-kidney transplant recipients for the systemic presence of donor alleles with allele-specific genomic amplification of DRB1 and H-Y loci. Microchimerism was observed in 1 case in peripheral blood and in 4 cases in skin. Chimerism and number of HLA alleles shared by donor and recipient were not correlated. This low frequency of microchimerism in long-term kidney allograft recipients raises doubts about a major participation of chimerism in donor-specific tolerance.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗
PubMed1994

Microchimerism frequency two to thirty years after cadaveric kidney transplantation.

Understanding the mechanisms of unresponsiveness to allograft is crucial in order to induce long-term specific immune tolerance in organ recipients. An association between persistent microchimerism following allogeneic organ transplantation and donor-specific graft acceptance has recently been proposed. However, the frequency of chimerism and its relevance in long-lasting tolerance are still unclear. We studied 12 long-surviving (20-30 years) and eight recently grafted (2 years) cadaveric kidney transplant recipients for the systemic presence of donor alleles by using allele-specific genomic amplification of DRB1 and H-Y loci. This technique enabled the detection of a 1:4000 to 1:10,000 donor-recipient cell ratio. Among long-term tolerant recipients, microchimerism was observed in only one case in the peripheral blood and four cases in the skin. These chimeric patients did not differ from others by any clinical or immunologic parameter. In the 2-year tolerant patient group, skin chimerism was evidenced in only one patient who had simultaneously received kidney and liver transplants. No correlation was observed between the presence of chimerism and the number of HLA-DR alleles shared by donor and recipient. This low frequency of microchimerism raises doubts about a major role of chimerism in development of long-lasting specific tolerance following kidney allografting.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Factors predictive of the response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Factors predictive of the response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C remain to be identified. In this study, we investigated factors predictive of the short-term response, defined as a return to normal alanine aminotransferase activity after treatment, and the long-term response defined as normal alanine aminotransferase activity 1 year after completing treatment, in 75 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus treated with recombinant alpha interferon (either 6 MU x 3/week for 3 months then 3 MU x 3/week for 3 months (n = 27) or 3 MU x 3/week for 6 months (n = 48)). At the end of treatment, 42 patients (56%) had normal alanine aminotransferase activity ("responders") and 33 (44%) had high alanine aminotransferase activity ("non-responders"). Twenty (48%) of the 42 responders had normal alanine aminotransferase activity 1 year after treatment ("sustained responders"), while 22 (52%) had high alanine aminotransferase activity ("transient responders"). The dosage of interferon was not predictive of the short-term and the long-term response to treatment. The responders differed significantly from the non-responders in terms of age, i.v. drug abuse, aspartate aminotransferase, gammaglutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase activities, bilirubinemia, serum bile acid concentrations, prothrombin time, platelet count, ferritinemia, hyaluronic acid levels, positivity for the antibody to 5.1.1 of the recombinant immunoblot assay band and the histological fibrosis score. The following parameters were independently correlated with the short-term response in a multivariate analysis: gammaglutamyltranspeptidase activity, serum bile acid concentrations and positivity for the antibody to 5.1.1 of the recombinant immunoblot assay band.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Hyperhomocysteinaemia: a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal transplant recipients.

Moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia has been shown to constitute an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTR). In these patients few data regarding both total homocysteine levels and their influence on cardiovascular risk have been reported. We therefore studied serum homocysteine levels in deep-frozen sera from 42 kidney transplant recipients with a follow-up of 11 +/- 4.5 years (mean +/- SD) after transplantation. Eighteen patients had one or more ischaemic events (CVD (+)) and 24 patients had none (CVD (-)). Serum samples had been drawn 1-6 months prior to the first vascular event in CVD (+) patients and serum storage time was comparable in both CVD (-) and CVD (+) patients. Serum homocysteine levels were measured using a radioenzymatic method. Mean homocysteine level was significantly higher in 42 RTR males and females (15.5 +/- 6.3, 13.5 +/- 5.5 microM respectively) compared with 35 control subjects matched for age and sex (8.7 +/- 1.9, 7.5 +/- 1.9 microM, P < 0.001). The difference in serum homocysteine levels between CVD (+) and CVD (-) RTR nearly reached statistical significance in male patients (18.6 +/- 7.8 versus 13.1 +/- 3.4 microM, P < 0.06) but not in female patients (P = NS). In the CVD (+) group 11/18 patients had homocysteine levels > 14 microM (the upper limit in healthy controls) versus 7/24 in the CVD (-) group (P = 0.04). In these patients we simultaneously measured in the same serum samples, serum triglycerides, and total and HDL cholesterol, and calculated LDL cholesterol. By stepwise discriminant analysis and by logistic regression analysis in this relatively small patient population, only serum triglycerides and homocysteine were selected as risk factors associated with CVD. We conclude that significant hyperhomocysteinaemia is present in renal transplant recipients and represents a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy for the early diagnosis of subglottal inhalation injury: comparative value in the assessment of prognosis.

The aim of this study was to determine the value of bronchoscopy in the early diagnosis of inhalation injury. A total of 130 burn patients underwent bronchoscopy on admission to a specialized center. In order to validate the method and the bronchoscopist's conclusions, they underwent staged bronchial biopsies. Using the histologic findings as the "gold standard," bronchoscopy proved to be sensitive (sensitivity, 0.79) and highly specific (specificity, 0.94) for the diagnosis of inhalation injury. In addition, it was more reliable than the circumstances of the injury, the clinical findings, and complementary tests. In a one-dimensional analysis, bronchoscopy-proven inhalation injury was one of the most strongly predictive variables for the onset of ARDS and death. The analysis of survival curves confirmed that inhalation injury portends a bad outcome in burn patients. It was used to predict the likelihood of ARDS and death at the time of admission with a view to early specific treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effectiveness of adenine arabinoside 5'-monophosphate in kidney transplant recipients with chronic active hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B virus infection is responsible for both morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Adenine arabinoside 5'-monophosphate (ARA-AMP), a synthetic purine nucleotide with anti-viral activity, leads to a sustained interruption of HBV replication in approximately 40% of immunocompetent patients. We report the results of a pilot study using ARA-AMP to treat HBV-related chronic active hepatitis in kidney transplant recipients. Ten patients (2 females and 8 males, mean age 44 years, mean time post-transplantation 163 months) received a 28-day course of ARA-AMP intramuscularly: 5 mg/kg twice daily for the first 5 days during hospitalization and subsequently 5 mg/kg once daily at home for the remaining 23 days. Mean follow-up was 18 months, ranging from 7 to 28 months. All patients but one had biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis, including five cases of cirrhosis. All patients had been chronic HBs Ag carriers for more than 1 year and had active replication as assessed by the presence of serum HBV DNA (mean titre, 270 pg/ml, ranging from 12 to 997 pg/ml, Genostics method). HBe Ag was present in 7 of the 10 patients. Pretreatment creatinine was normal. In four of the 10 patients, HBV DNA became undetectable respectively 1, 1, 5, and 11 months after beginning ARA-AMP. In five patients, HBV DNA decreased during ARA-AMP therapy but subsequently increased although no change was noted during the follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery].

The authors report their experience of hypoparathyroidism in thyroïd surgery: 538 patients underwent thyroidectomy, including 45% bilateral resections. In post operative period, accurate tests allowed to detect non permanent hypocalcemias in 60% of cases. Severe hypocalcemia (1.60 mmol/l) is necessary to engage a treatment by vitamin D. So, a soft thyroid microsurgery is the only one manner to preserve parathyroid stock. 46 patients had parathyroid transplantation, but the evaluation is difficult, because the amount of parathyroid gland without ischemia, left into the neck, is unknown. In summary, this technique is effective, but often useless in thyroid surgery.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Viral hepatitis in hemodialysis and renal transplantation patients].

In patients with chronic renal failure be they hemodialysed or transplanted, viral hepatitis B and C tend to progress towards chronicity, in spite of both a frequent silent clinical presentation and an atypical course of viral markers. Therefore, only liver biopsy will allow a precise diagnosis of liver disease in these patients. Immunosuppression clearly modifies natural history of B and C viral hepatitis, but their real impact at mid and long-term on patient survival is still a matter of debate. Treatment is firstly preventive (vaccination and isolation of infected patients in dialysis units) and secondly curative. Preliminary data suggest that antiviral drugs such as ARA-AMP and interferon-alpha may have the same efficacy as in non-immunosuppressed patients. It is therefore of urgent need to evaluate both efficacy and tolerance of these antiviral drugs in patients on hemodialysis and in kidney transplant recipients.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1994

[Positioning of hemodialysis catheters after locating the internal jugular vein by echo-Doppler].

Despite significant progress, vascular access remains a major concern for nephrologists. For the last 6 years we have used as temporary vascular access silastic twin catheters implanted into the internal jugular vein based on Canaud's method. We have developed in 15 patients an ultrasound-guided method using an ultrasonic Doppler to improve access to the internal jugular vein, prior to its catheterization. Ultrasound assistance was provided by a 5MHz mechanical sectorscanning transducer (Toshiba 270A). The internal jugular vein and carotid artery were visualized. The skin overlying the internal jugular vein was marked with indelebile ink. The internal jugular vein was cannulated successfully in 14 patients. The use of ultrasound guidance to cannulate the internal jugular vein improves success, and reduces complications. This method is recommended in patients with distorted cervical or subclavicular anatomic characteristics, or with bleeding tendency.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1994

[National survey on temporary vascular access for hemodialysis].

A national survey about temporary vascular access for hemodialysis was conducted to evaluate medical indications of both nephrologists and intensivists. Two hundred "medical teams" (a majority of nephrologists) answered a detailed questionnaire with regard to their current habits on the topic. The choice of temporary vascular access for hemodialysis was examined in patients with acute renal failure as well as in patients with chronic renal failure when a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis is not yet available. With regard to acute renal failure, 60% of medical teams favor femoral access with a single lumen catheter. This initial access is subsequently changed (83% of cases) either at the same site or for a long lasting access. This attitude is explained mainly because of the safety of the procedure and the few short and long term complications. With regard to chronic renal failure, 45% of medical teams favor internal jugular access with a single lumen catheter. This initial access is subsequently maintained as long as no complication occurs, in 91% of cases. Sub-clavian route is never used by 40% of physicians mainly because of long-term risk of stenosis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1994

[Tunneled double femoral catheters: emergency vascular access for hemodialysis].

Transient vascular access for hemodialysis is a daily problem in nephrology. Internal jugular twin catheters using Canaud's technique is the method of reference, which we have applied since 1987. In 3 cases where the internal jugular route was impraticable, twin catheters via the femoral route were used. The catheter was placed by percutaneous route, at the bedside, in rigorous aseptic conditions and with local anesthesia. The catheter emerge at mid-thigh. Mean placement time was 45 mn. The ideal site for distal end of the catheters is in the inferior vena cava. No traumatic complication occurred during placement. No infectious episode was observed. All the catheters that were removed were sterile in culture. No thrombosis of femoral, iliac or inferior cava veins were observed by echodoppler after removal of the catheters. In conclusion, twin femoral catheters are a good alternative when jugular access is impossible or contraindicated.

Adult↗