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Biomedical subjects

J Ninet

Publications and source records attributed to J Ninet.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery: practice patterns].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prescription patterns in French and foreign centres for antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phone and written surveys concerned 64 French and 70 foreign centres. It focused on the first injection, the duration of treatment and the recommended agents. RESULTS: 87% of the French centres and 67% of the foreign centres answered the questionnaire. The first injection took place at anaesthesia induction in all French centres but during administration of premedication in 11% of foreign centres (p < 0.05). The duration of prophylaxis was restricted to the intraoperative period only in 20% and 15% of centres, respectively (ns), as specified by the recommendations. No French centres carried on the antibiotics more than 48 h versus 11% of foreign centres (p < 0.05). Cephalosporines of the second generation were prescribed in 84 and 49% of centres, respectively (p < 0.05). The combination of two antibiotics was less frequent in France than in foreign countries (5 versus 17%, p < 0.01). In absence of betalactamin allergy glycopeptides were not utilized in France versus 8% in foreign countries (p < 0.05). In case of allergy vancomycin was used in 66% of French and 42% of foreign centres. CONCLUSION: The French recommendations may have influenced favourably the antibiotic choice but the prophylaxis duration was too long in most of the non French European centres.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗

[Fulminant mediastinitis from Streptococcus pneumoniae following cardiac surgery].

A 62-year-old patient was scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery because of tritroncular coronary artery disease. The early postoperative period was uncomplicated until the 10th postoperative day when purulent fluid appeared from the sternal wound. Cultures of blood, wound and mediastinal tissues yielded Streptococcus pneumoniae with decreased susceptibility to penicillin G. Despite prompt surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotics, a septic shock with multiorgan failure occurred and the patient died on the 19th postoperative day. Although Streptococcus pneumoniae is uncommonly implicated in postoperative mediatinitis, it frequently leads to multiple organ failure and death.

Adult↗

Clinically and histologically silent Q fever endocarditis accidentally diagnosed by PCR.

A case of Q fever endocarditis was diagnosed in a patient with no sign of active endocarditis by performing PCR targeting eubacterial 16S rDNA on the resected mitral valve. The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of high levels of anti-Coxiella burnetti antibodies, positive immunohistologic analysis of the valve tissue with specific antibodies and culture of C. burnetti from the valve tissue. As this patient had an unexplained aggravation of valve dysfunction, we recommended routine serologic testing for C. burnetti to allow the diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis at a very early stage.

Adult↗

Comparison of 3 and 6 months of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of proximal deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and comparison of 6 and 12 weeks of therapy after isolated calf deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of venous thromboembolism remains controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed an open-label, randomized trial comparing a short oral anticoagulant course (3 months for proximal deep vein thrombosis [P-DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism [PE]; 6 weeks for isolated calf DVT [C-DVT]) with a long course of therapy (6 months for P-DVT/PE; 12 weeks for C-DVT). The outcome events were recurrences and major, minor, or fatal bleeding complications. A total of 736 patients were enrolled. There were 23 recurrences of venous thromboembolism in the short treatment group (6.4%) and 26 in the long treatment group (7.4%); the 2 treatment regimens had an equivalent effect. For the hemorrhage end point, the difference between the short and the long treatment groups was not significant: 15.5% versus 18.4% for all events (P=0.302), 1.7% versus 2.8% (P=0.291) for major events, and 13.9% versus 15.3% for minor bleeding. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the rate of recurrence was lower for C-DVT than for P-DVT or PE. CONCLUSIONS: After isolated C-DVT, 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation is sufficient. For P-DVT or PE, we demonstrated an equivalence between 3 and 6 months of anticoagulant therapy. For patients with temporary risk factors who have a low risk of recurrence, 3 months of treatment seems to be sufficient. For patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism or permanent risk factors who have a high risk of recurrence, other trials are necessary to assess prolonged therapy beyond 6 months.

Administration, Oral↗

Influence of technique of coronary artery implantation on long-term results in composite aortic root replacement.

BACKGROUND: Long-term results after composite graft aortic root replacement may depend on the insertion technique. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of the technique of coronary artery implantation on long-term results in composite aortic root replacement. METHODS: One hundred fifty consecutive patients (mean age, 55 years; 119 men) with different disorders of the ascending aorta who underwent aortic root replacement with a composite graft prosthesis between January 1985 and December 1999 were retrospectively studied. Thirteen patients had previously undergone cardiovascular surgery. The open button technique was performed in 65 patients (43.3%, group 1) and the inclusion technique in 85 patients (56.7%, group 2). Mean follow-up was 70.5 months. Surgery was elective in 110 procedures (73%). RESULTS: Global actuarial survival was 76.1% +/- 4.3% for group 1 and 73.7% +/- 3.9% for group 2 at 10 years (p = 0.22). Freedom from reoperation excluding early deaths was 81% +/- 3% for group 1 and 86% +/- 2.2% for group 2 at 10 years (p = 0.62). Group 2 demonstrated a statistically significantly higher occurrence of pseudoaneurysm formation versus group 1 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Composite graft aortic root replacement is a safe and effective therapy for proximal aortic aneurysm and dissection, resulting in good early and long-term results irrespective of the anastomotic technique. However, the open button technique seems to avoid late false aneurysm formation at the anastomotic sites.

Adolescent↗

Management of oral anticoagulants in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism still represents a major public health problem. After initial heparin therapy, oral anticoagulants are the treatment most often used. Bleeding is the major risk of such a therapy. This review of the literature emphasises the practical aspects of the clinical management of oral anticoagulant therapy, such as initiation, monitoring, interaction, withdrawal, optimal duration, bleeding complications and non-haemorrhagic adverse reactions.

Journal Article↗

[Hypoxemia secondary to inferior vena cava return into left atrium].

The case of a right-to-left shunt-induced hypoxemia with an abnormal return of the inferior vena cava (AIVCR) into the left atrium (LA) is reported in a 30-year-old male with cyanosis and polycythemia. The chest X ray and the lung CT scan was normal. Spirometry was normal but the transfert-CO coefficient (KCO) was lowered. Hypoxemia was observed at rest and worsening during exercise. The alveolo-arterial oxygen tension difference under hyperoxia was increased (56 kPa). Contrast echocardiography (CEch) suggested the presence of an AIVCR with a right-to-left shunt only observed by the inferior route. The inferior vena cava (IVC) angiography and the magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an AIVCR characterized by a direct drainage of IVC in the left atrium. The good tolerance can be explained by the association of AIVCR with an inter-auricular septal defect resulting in a left-to-right shunt which partially corrected the right-to-left shunt. After surgical treatment, arterial blood gases normalized, KCO remained low and CEch became negative.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase gene polymorphism is predictive of azathioprine-induced myelosuppression in heart transplant recipients.

Azathioprine (AZA) is metabolized via the cytosolic enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT). TPMT activity exhibits genetic polymorphism with four prevalent (75%) mutant alleles TPMT*2 (G238C) and TPMT*3 (A719G and/or G460A) and a wild-type allele TPMT*1. To test the hypothesis that presence of these mutations is associated with greater toxicity of AZA in heart transplant recipients, 30 consecutive patients treated with AZA were followed up for the first month after heart transplant. Mutation of TPMT gene (mutation-specific polymerase chain reaction-based methods) was observed in four patients (A719G: n = 2; A719G plus G460: n = 2). Agranulocytosis did not occur in patients with the wild genotype. It occurred in the two patients with mutation A719G and there was a 40% drop in neutrophils in the two other patients. Discontinuation of AZA in the four mutant patients corrected for the drop. Presence of TPMT mutations is associated with a greater likelihood of agranulocytosis. Determination of these mutations could reduce the risk for hematological side-effects.

Adult↗

Comparison of long versus short duration of anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of venous thromboembolism: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the length of oral anticoagulant therapy (short versus long duration) after a first episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE). DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, comparing two durations of anticoagulation, identified in 1999 by a computerized search of the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, Medline and Embase, completed by an extensive review of the references of pertinent articles. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The meta-analysis was performed on literature data. Seven published controlled trials were included. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were computed using the relative risk logarithm method. Statistical significance was set up at 0.01 for the test of association. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes are major haemorrhage and recurrence after a 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: For the recurrence end-point (sample size of 2304 patients), a duration treatment of 12-24 weeks seems preferable to a 3-6 week regimen, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.45-0.79, P < 0.001). For the major haemorrhage end-point (1823 patients), the RR is not significantly different from 1 (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.51-4.01, P = 0. 5). The results were similar for the subgroup 'permanent risk factors' or 'idiopathic VTE' (RR for recurrence = 0.48, 95% CI: 0. 34-0.68, P < 0.001). The tendency was similar, although not reaching statistical significance, for the 'temporary risk factors' subgroup (RR for recurrence = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13-0.93, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: After a first episode of VTE, a long-term treatment regimen allows a significant reduction in the incidence of recurrences without increasing the incidence of bleeding events.

Acute Disease↗

Optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy after an episode of venous thromboembolism.

The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still a matter of debate. It is essential to balance the desired effect of the anticoagulants in reducing recurrences against the risk of major bleeding. The aims of this paper are to describe the current concepts in this field. Recent data, based on randomized controlled trials, suggest that it is necessary to tailor the duration of anticoagulation individually according to the topography of VTE and the presence of risk factors. A 6-week treatment for patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis is sufficient. For proximal thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism, a short anticoagulant course is sufficient in patients with temporary risk factors (3 months), and a longer anticoagulant course (6 months at least) is recommended for cases with permanent risk factors or idiopathic VTE. For these high-risk of recurrence patients, an assessment of low- or fixed-dose oral anticoagulation is necessary in order to reduce the bleeding risk. It is not possible to precisely determine the optimal duration with the available data. We have already performed a meta-analysis on summary data that suggests a long course of oral anticoagulant therapy is superior to a short course. An individual meta-analytic approach is needed to draw more precise conclusions on an interesting and important clinical topic.

Anticoagulants↗

[Teaching targets in vascular medicine].

The reference list presented here is a selection of educative objectives performed by the French "Collège des Enseignants de Médecine Vasculaire" for the different levels of the medical initial education course. It was produced through a collective procedure, after selecting the most relevant topics and setting up writing rules based upon docimology, and favoring practical rather than theoretical objectives. The main topics are peripheral obstructive arterial disease, polyatherosclerosis, atherosclerosis risk factors, venous thromboembolic disease, thrombophilia, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphatic insufficiency, leg ulcers, vascular acrosyndromes, cerebrovascular diseases and connective tissue diseases, vascular occupational diseases, vascular adverse effects of drugs, diabetic vascular disease, the vascular consequences of hypertension, vascular malformations and angiodysplasia, inflammatory arterial diseases, and vascular explorations. As a whole they include about 300 objectives for the five teaching levels. We hope that this list will help stimulate production of training courses and documents strongly needed in this field.

Education, Medical↗

Giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: are pregnancies a protective factor? A prospective, multicentre case-control study. GRACG (Groupe de Recherche sur l'Artérite à Cellules Géantes).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential role of allo-immunization, either by former pregnancies, or by a history of blood transfusion, in the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-five incident female cases and 186 age-matched, population-based female controls were prospectively included in a multicentre case-control study. RESULTS: The number of pregnancies was significantly lower in cases than in controls (nulliparous: 21.55% vs 12.90%; > or =4 pregnancies: 16.25% vs 27.42%; Wilcoxon rank sum test: P = 0.0019) in biopsy-proven or negative temporal arteritis and, to a lesser extent, in polymyalgia rheumatica. No difference was found for history of blood transfusion. Pregnancies remained negatively associated with the disease in a multivariate analysis including cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking or a pre-existing peripheral vascular disease. CONCLUSION: Former pregnancies are not a risk factor for giant cell arteritis. Pregnancies may be protective thanks to an effect of the associated hyperoestrogenic state against alterations of the artery wall, as suggested in animal models.

Aged↗

Biopsy proven and biopsy negative temporal arteritis: differences in clinical spectrum at the onset of the disease. Groupe de Recherche sur l'Artérite à Cellules Géantes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical features of biopsy proven and negative biopsy temporal arteritis at the time of diagnosis and during a three year follow up. METHODS: Newly diagnosed cases of giant cell arteritis were included in a prospective, multicentre study. Initial clinical and biological features, season of diagnosis, and cardiovascular events occurring during the follow up were recorded. Biopsy proven and negative biopsy cases were compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven biopsy proven, and 85 negative biopsy cases were included from 1991 to 1997. Fifty eight per cent of the biopsy proven cases, compared with 39.29% of the negative biopsy cases, were diagnosed during the autumn or winter (p = 0.003). Visual problems (31.5%, v 19.1%, p = 0.031), blindness (9.7% v 2.38%, p = 0.033), jaw claudication (40.8%, v 28.243%, p = 0.044), and temporal artery palpation abnormalities (61.3% v 29.5%, p = 7.10(-7)) were more frequent in the biopsy proven than in the negative biopsy group. Less specific symptoms, such as headache (82.5% v 92. 9%, p = 0.021), or associated polymyalgia rheumatica (40.1% v 65.9%, p = 9 x 10(-5)) were more prevalent in the negative biopsy cases. Biological markers of inflammation were significantly more increased in the biopsy proven group. All cases of blindness occurring after treatment belonged to the biopsy proven group. CONCLUSION: Biopsy proven cases seem to be more severe than biopsy negative cases at the time of diagnosis and during follow up. Seasonal difference at diagnosis may suggest a different aetiological pattern.

Aged↗

[Nasal involvement in atrophic polychondritis. A case report].

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare and little known inflammatory disease. The case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with a one-year history of saddle nose is discussed in this article. After waiting for one year, rhinoplasty was decided, with a good result at the 18th month. We prefer to use a calvarial bone graft for this disease and to only operate under stable and minor conditions.

Adult↗