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Biomedical subjects

E Kieffer

Publications and source records attributed to E Kieffer.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Cutaneous manifestations of Takayasu arteritis. A retrospective study of 80 cases.

The aim of this retrospective study is to delineate in Europe the frequency and type of cutaneous manifestations associated with Takayasu arteritis (TA). Eighty patients with TA were analyzed. Symptoms suggestive of Raynaud's syndrome were noted in 11 patients (14%) and could be directly related to large vessel involvement. Other skin lesions were observed in 10 patients (12.5%). Five had acute tender erythematous nodules on the legs with a clinical diagnosis of erythema nodosum; 2 had subacute ulcerated nodules of the legs; 1 had pyoderma-gangrenosum-like ulcerations of the four limbs which resulted from the breakdown of subcutaneous nodules; 1 had lupus-like malar flush, and the last one had urticarial lesions with livedo reticularis. Skin samples were obtained from 4 patients. Three of them agreed that reiterated biopsies be done on recurrent lesions. A granulomatous vasculitis was observed in 2 cases involving hypodermal arterioles in one case and veins in the other. The other pathological findings were septal and lobular panniculitis which can be associated with granulomatous vasculitis. Different histological findings on reiterated biopsies were frequently found. The absence of any other etiology and chronological arguments suggested a relationship between these skin lesions and TA. Tuberculosis was probable in 1 case but apparently was not related to the skin lesions.

Adult↗

[Baroreflex activity in carotid endarterectomy during general anesthesia].

The baroreceptor reflex was studied in eleven patients, aged 69 +/- 6 years, scheduled for carotid endarterectomy under general anaesthesia. Nine were hypertensive. The anaesthetic protocol was the same for all the patients: premedication with morphine and scopolamine, induction with 5 mg.kg-1 thiopentone, 6 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl and 0.01 mg.kg-1 pancuronium bromide. All the patients were intubated and ventilated with a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Fentanyl, 100 micrograms, was routinely given at the time of incision. Baroreflex sensitivity was tested using Smyth's method, with a bolus of 75 micrograms trinitrin and plotting changes in heart rate against those in systolic blood pressure. Electrocardiogram, invasive arterial blood pressure and airway pressure were simultaneously recorded. PaCO2 and PaO2 were measured during arterial clamping. The tests were carried out before clamping, 2 min later and 10 to 20 min after the last injection of fentanyl. In the seven patients for whom clamping lasted more than 15 min, a further test was carried out after administration of 0.4 +/- 0.05 vol% halothane (Datex analyser) for 5 min. During anaesthesia, baroreflex sensitivity was low (1.8 +/- 0.3 ms.mmHg-1). After clamping, there was only a significant change in Pasys, with no changes in heart rate or blood gas values (129 +/- 8 mmHg before clamping; 167 +/- 12 mmHg after clamping; n = 8; p less than 0.01). After halothane administration, the sensitivity slope decreased, but not significantly. Moreover, halothane decreased the R-R intervals (1140 +/- 84 after clamping; 963 +/- 76 under halothane; n = 6; p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Perioperative cardiac complications of surgical repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms.

From 1985 to 1987, 261 patients (241 male, 20 female; mean age 66.5 years, range 38-90 years) were hospitalized for elective repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms. One-hundred forty seven patients (56%) had coronary artery disease, attested to by past history of myocardial infarction or angina pectoris, electrocardiographic signs at rest, or abnormalities of dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy (performed in 72 patients). Ten patients had coronary arteriography and one patient then underwent aortocoronary bypass. Only two patients were not offered operation. All patients operated on had perioperative monitoring using Swan-Ganz catheters. Forty-five patients (17.5%) had a total of 62 postoperative events related to coronary artery disease. These included 40 cases of myocardial ischemia (15%), 16 cases of left heart failure (6%), and six myocardial infarctions (2%). There were nine (3.4%) postoperative deaths, four of which were due to cardiac causes (1.5%). In spite of the frequency of preexisting coronary artery disease and of intra- or postoperative myocardial ischemia, surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm was not responsible for increased perioperative cardiac morbidity or mortality. In this population of aged patients, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair does not necessitate extending the indications for preoperative coronary arteriography or aortocoronary bypass.

Adult↗

Preoperative spinal cord arteriography in aneurysmal disease of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta: preliminary results in 45 patients.

Between 1985 and 1988 45 patients with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms underwent selective arteriography of the intercostal and lumbar arteries to delineate preoperatively the artery of Adamkiewicz and the thoracic radicular artery. Identification of these vessels failed in five patients (11%), was considered complete in 31 patients (69%) and incomplete in nine (20%). Selective arteriography classified these patients into four groups: groups A and B--the artery of Adamkiewicz arose respectively above and below the zone of operation; group C--the artery arose directly from the segment to be operated; and group D--origin could not be determined. All 30 patients in group C underwent a spinal cord revascularization procedure (complete in 20 cases, incomplete in 10). Spinal cord complications occurred in 9/45 patients (20%). No spinal cord complications occurred in groups A and B; their incidence was 5% in group C when revascularization was complete, and 50% when revascularization was incomplete; and 60% had complications in group D (p less than 0.01). Spinal cord complications were more frequent (p less than 0.05) when the artery of Adamkiewicz arose from an intercostal or lumbar artery obliterated at its aortic origin but filled through collaterals or when spinal cord circulation was interrupted for more than 45 minutes. This study confirms the importance of preserving arterial supply to the spinal cord during repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms. The information obtained from spinal cord arteriography allows the prediction of complications and informs the choice of the appropriate surgical technique.

Adult↗

[Carotid surgery for ophthalmic manifestations. Early and late results].

Two hundred and twelve cases of carotid surgery performed on patients presenting ipsilateral ischemic monophthalmic symptoms were retrospectively studied (OPH group). Among these, 125 had presented isolated ophthalmic pre-operative symptoms (OPHEX group) and 87 both ophthalmic and encephalic ischemic symptoms (OPHNEX group). During the same period, 702 cases of isolated carotid surgery were performed upon atherosclerotic patients without ipsilateral ischemic monophthalmic pre-operative symptoms (NOPH group). Among the cases of this latter group, 147 were performed upon asymptomatic patients (ASY group). 514 had presented isolated encephalic pre-operative symptoms (ENC group) and 41 had presented contralateral ischemic symptoms. The OPHNEX group presented a significantly increased peri-operative mortality and morbidity rate compared to the OPHNEX group (peri-operative deaths, lethal strokes, cardiac peri-operative morbidity) and compared to the ENC group than in the ASY group. The OPHNEX group presented a significantly increased long term mortality and morbidity rate compared to the OPHEX group (lethal strokes, all deaths). In the follow up, the OPH group presented, compared to the NOPH group, lower rates of non lethal stroke but higher rates of ophthalmic ischemic events (ipsi or contralateral) and higher rates of cardiac deaths. OPHEX, OPHNEX, ASY, ENC and NOPH groups presented significant differences as regards the general cardio-vascular and metabolic context, the macroscopy of carotid lesions operated upon, the topography and diffusion of other atherosclerotic lesions.

Aged↗

[Popliteal venous aneurysm revealed by recurring pulmonary embolism. Echographic, phlebographic, x-ray computed tomographic and nuclear magnetic resonance aspects].

We report a characteristic case of popliteal vein aneurysm which was demonstrated not only by Doppler ultrasonography and venographic examination, but also by CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging. A review of the literature underlines the rarity of these aneurysms, since less than 20 cases have been published. They are always true aneurysms, most often revealed after an episode of pulmonary embolism. Doppler ultrasonography and venography confirm the diagnosis. The place of CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging remains to be defined. Even if asymptomatic, the embolic risk necessitates surgical resection of the aneurysm and restoration of venous continuity.

Aneurysm↗

[Throbbing buttocks syndrome].

The authors define the "throbbing buttocks syndrome" which can in fact correspond to different pathological entities: aneurysm of the persistent sciatic artery and/or congenital or traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the hypogastric and gluteal vessels. Seven cases are reported: 1 case of aneurysm of the persistent sciatic artery complicated by truncal embolism and fissuring which was treated successfully by occlusive endoaneurysmorrhaphy; and 6 cases of arteriovenous fistulas (1 traumatic and 5 congenital). In all cases of arteriovenous fistula the technique used involved initial embolization which was complicated by anterior ligature of the hypogastric artery and then by excision of the malformation which was extremely hemorrhagic in some cases. Out of these 6 cases, results have been satisfactory for 5 and incomplete for the remaining one.

Adult↗

[Aortic aneurysm with vena cava thrombosis occurring in Behcet's disease].

We report a case of Behcet's disease complicated by aortic aneurysm and contiguous vena cava thrombosis due to compression. Arterial aneurysms are uncommon in the course of Behcet's disease and are associated with a poor prognosis owing to the risk of rupture. Vena cava thrombosis is found in 10% of cases; pulmonary embolism is infrequent. Venous and arterial lesions usually evolve independently. In most cases they are consecutive to vasculitis. The case reported herein is uncommon because of simultaneous and contiguous venous and arterial lesions. Eighteen months after aorto bi-iliac graft and inferior vena cava ligature, there is no recurrence of thrombosis nor aneurysm with a treatment including heparin, colchicine and azathioprine.

Adult↗

Improvement of diaphragmatic function by a thoracic extradural block after upper abdominal surgery.

The effects on diaphragmatic function of a thoracic epidural block were assessed in 13 patients after upper abdominal surgery (UAS). Lung volumes and tidal changes in chest wall circumferences and gastric (delta Pgas) and esophageal (delta Pes) pressures were measured pre- and postoperatively. Volume displacement of the abdomen divided by tidal volume (delta VAB/VT) and delta Pgas/delta Pes were taken as indices of the diaphragmatic contribution to tidal breathing. These respiratory variables were obtained in the postoperative period, before and after epidural injection of 0.5% plain bupivacaine to achieve a block up to the T4 segment. UAS was constantly associated with a decrease in VT, delta VAB/VT, delta Pgas/delta Pes, and forced vital capacity (FVC). Epidural block was associated with an increase in VT, delta VAB/VT, and FVC. delta Pgas and delta Pgas/delta Pes returned to their preoperative values. It is concluded that: 1) diaphragmatic dysfunction observed after UAS is partially reversed by thoracic epidural block; and 2) that inhibitory reflexes of phrenic activity arising from the abdominal compartment (abdominal wall and/or viscera) could be involved in this diaphragmatic dysfunction.

Abdomen↗

[Behçet's disease and vascular surgery].

The role of vascular surgery in Behçet's disease is limited. It is concerned with the two types of lesion, venous and arterial, usually encountered. Indications for surgery in venous thrombosis did not differ from those in ordinary thrombo-embolic disease. The multicenter study reported divided arterial lesions into three groups: aneurysmal, occlusive or traumatic (arterial puncture) lesions. While surgery offers satisfactory results in the treatment of aneurysmal or traumatic lesions, the treatment of occlusive lesions is disappointing. Surgery is thus indicated only in patients with an aneurysm, bleeding or severe ischemia.

Aneurysm↗