Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Wattel

Publications and source records attributed to F Wattel.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A comparison of three severity score indexes in an evaluation of serious bacterial pneumonia.

Two non specific severity scoring systems, acute physiological score (APS) and simplified acute physiological score (SAPS) are compared with a specific index (Sc) in an evaluation of 96 ICU patients with "serious" bacterial pneumonia. The three scores were measured during the first 24 h following ICU admission. There is a good correlation between APS, SAPS or Sc. Accuracy and efficiency of the non specific scoring indexes and Sc are similar. There is no statistical difference in sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operating characteristic curves of the three indexes. Simple and reliable non specific index such as SAPS, valid for a variety of pathologies, can be used in an evaluation of mortality and comparative studies of groups of patients with serious bacterial pneumonia.

Adolescent↗

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Risk of late sequelae and treatment by hyperbaric oxygen.

The indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in the treatment of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are discussed far too little in the literature. Depending on the author reasons for referral to a hyperbaric center include the carboxyhemoglobin level, change in state of consciousness or neurological abnormalities. In our opinion, HBO should be used on much wider indications than is usual, not only because of the rapid relief from symptoms it provides but mainly because it may prevent severe delayed sequelae. During a period of 9 months 230 patients with CO poisoning were admitted to our intensive care unit; 203 were treated with HBO and 27 with normobaric oxygen. Our indications for HBO treatment were: coma, pathological neurological findings or loss of consciousness during CO exposure irrespective of normal clinical findings on admission. Four patients died and the others were discharged 12 hours to 25 days after the incident. Seven patients had minor neurological problems within two weeks of discharge and which disappeared within one month. Two patients were re-hospitalized for neuropsychiatric sequelae and recovered in 3 and 6 months respectively. Neither the clinical status upon admission nor COHb predicted the outcome of the poisoning. Referral to a HBO center should be considered when: --the patient is comatose --there are abnormal clinical findings --patients have been unconsciousness during exposure, irrespective of whether they are conscious on admission and have normal clinical status.

Acute Disease↗

[Use of a severity index in 8 multidisciplinary resuscitation centers].

A universal severity index for acutely ill patients was applied to 794 acute patients treated in eight medical and surgical French intensive care units located in teaching or community hospitals either in Paris or in provincial towns. Measured on the first day in hospital from objective numerical data, the index proved reliable and correlated well with hospital mortality and the sustained therapeutic efforts of the first 24 hours. It could be used in multicentre studies to compare outcomes and evaluate new treatments.

Disease↗

[New method of weaning from respiratory assistance. Ventilation based on carbon dioxide].

The authors describe a new device for weaning from mechanical ventilation, based on continuous measurement of end-expiratory concentration of CO 2 (FCO 2 ET). The spontaneous or controlled mode of ventilation is automatically determined by the level of FCO 2 ET in relation to preselected maximum and minimum thresholds. The authors call this device "CO 2MV".

Breath Tests↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme in human adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, complement activation, and intravascular coagulation were studied in 36 patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (17 aseptic, 19 septic), in order to investigate the possible interrelations among ACE, immunologic data, and hematologic findings. The severity of respiratory impairment was assessed with measurements of mechanical and gas exchange functional qualities of the lung. Serial measurements of ACE could be done in 14 patients during an eight-day period. During the first 24 hours, ACE levels were always normal (38 percent) or decreased (62 percent). No difference could be found between patients with septic and aseptic ARDS. Complement activation occurred in 78 percent (28/36) and used, in most cases, the classic pathway with presence of circulating immune complexes. Criteria for intravascular coagulation were present in 58 percent (21/36). No relation between coagulation, complement, and ACE could be found except for the patients with a greater respiratory impairment, who had complement activation, intravascular coagulation, and significantly lower ACE levels. In all patients together, ACE levels had no diagnostic value for aseptic cause of ARDS and a poor prognostic value. Only intravascular coagulation was linked with a higher significant mortality and a greater functional impairment. Serial measurements showed a diphasic evolution of ACE levels, with a maximum decrease between the 72nd and 96th hours and a further normalization (seventh day). The persistence of low levels seemed to be associated with evolutive sepsis or secondary aggravation and fibrosis.

Adolescent↗

[Acute kidney failure in a resuscitation milieu: improvement of dialysis tolerance using bicarbonates in the dialysate].

Patients hospitalized in critical care unit for acute renal failure (ARF) in a multiorgan failure syndrome have often a poor intra-dialysis tolerance. Change from Ac to Bi for dialysate buffering has been advocated to improve this dialytic tolerance. In a retrospective study, 70 patients who received Bi hemodialysis are compared with 106 patients who received Ac hemodialysis. If the mortality is not different between these two groups, intra-dialysis tolerance is significantly better (p less than 0.001) in the Bi group according to the mean intra-dialysis systolic blood pressure decrease, the collapse occurrence and the mean vascular volume infusion. Ultrafiltration rate is higher and reach more often the desired values. On a biochemical point of view, hemodialysis efficacy is the same in the two groups according to urea and creatinin clearance, but end dialysis Bi plasma concentrations are higher and nearer of the normal range in the Bi group even though predialysis Bi plasma concentrations were similar. The only side effect observed with Bi dialysis was a hypoglycemic episode without clinical consequence, due to the lack of glucose in the bicarbonate dialysate. Nevertheless, in patients under controlled ventilation, a end dialysis alkalosis can occur if a hyperventilation is imposed. Change from Ac to Bi in dialysate buffering improves the intra-dialysis tolerance of patients with ARF in a multiorgan failure syndrome. This kind of hemodialysis is now used routinely in our critical care unit.

Acetates↗

[Acute pulmonary edema in carbon monoxide poisoning. Prognostic effect].

285 patients affected by carbon monoxide poisoning were admitted in our intensive care unit over a period of two years (from july 1980 to july 1982). 18 patients had a pulmonary edema (P.E.). The occurrence of P.E. was more frequent when coma was grade 2, 3 or 4 (p less than 10(-3]. The acute physiologic score (weighting of physiologic measurements) as proposed by Knauss is higher in patients with P.E. (p less than 10(-2]. However death is never due to P.E.; about 54 patients with coma, 5 died; death is related to neurologic aggravation. Neurologic sequelae are not related to the occurrence of P.E. but to a delay in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These date show that prognosis of carbon monoxide poisoning is related to neurological status and is not influenced by the occurrence of P.E. when correctly treated and when hyperbaric oxygen therapy is early realized.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning↗

[Continuous haemofiltration in encephalopathy associated with hepatic failure (author's transl)].

Thirty-one comatose patients (18 with cirrhosis of the liver, 13 with severe hepatitis) were treated with continuous haemofiltration on polyacrylonitrile membrane (AN 69). The mean duration of sessions was 45 +/- 37 h, during which 136 +/- 108 1 of ultrafiltrate were dialyzed. Sixteen patients emerged from coma, 14 (7 with cirrhosis, 7 with hepatitis) completely and 2 partially. Blood ammonium levels decreased by 47 +/- 21% during the first 24 hours. Aminoacid clearance ranged from 20 to 50 ml/min, but only non significant changes were observed in the branched-chain/aromatic aminoacid ratio. Provided the haemodynamic balance is preserved, the technique is well tolerated. The duration of dialysis depends upon the degree of thrombopenia induced. Since the long-term prognosis of both cirrhosis patients and severe hepatitis patients is unmodified, continuous haemofiltration can only be helpful in cases where hepatic regeneration is possible; failing this, liver transplantation should be considered.

Amino Acids↗

[Acute arsenious hydride intoxication. Four cases (author's transl)].

While engaged in the repair of a zinc furnace, 4 workers were accidentally exposed to arsenious hydride (AsH3) fumes. Acute intravascular haemolysis developed within a few hours. On admission, the patients immediately underwent exsanguino-transfusion; 8.2 to 10.2 l of blood were exchanged through a continuous perfusion pump at the rate of 1 l/hour. Two patients resumed diuresis during transfusion, but the other two required repeated haemodialysis. Between the 10th and 30th days, while renal function was gradually returning to normal, mildly megaloblastic anaemia developed. This was followed during the 3rd month by clinical and electric signs of polyneuritis of the lower and upper limbs, which subsequently regressed. Regular measurements of arsenic levels in the blood and urine were performed between and during exsanguino-transfusion and haemodialysis.

Acute Disease↗