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Biomedical subjects

L Fourcade

Publications and source records attributed to L Fourcade.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Cardiovascular risk for the traveler].

The incidence of cardiovascular events during travel is rising with the age of the population and number of traveling seniors. Cardiovascular events are the second most frequent reason for medical evacuation and the cause of 50% of deaths recorded during commercial air travel. In most cases the underlying disorder is coronary artery disease which is readily destabilized by stress and fatigue associated with travel. Inflight conditions that can cause problems include altitude-related hypoxia, pressurization, and cramped seating in most sections of the plane. Upon arrival the traveler is exposed to a variety of climatic, food, and environmental factors that can trigger manifestations of latent heart disease. Prophylactic drugs for tropical infectious disease (especially antimalarials of the quinidine group) should be used with caution due to possible adverse interaction with medications used to treat heart disease. A pre-travel examination is necessary to ascertain cardiovascular status and define simple preventive precautions.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1996

[Ventricular extrasystole and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Critical analysis of the diagnostic value of non-invasive tests].

Asymptomatic ventricular extrasystoles were discovered in 2 active sportsmen (32 and 33 years). The cardiology work-up rapidly led to the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in one. In the other, the clinical presentation was similar and the initial diagnosis was ventricular extrasystole with a healthy heart. Four years later however, the subject was still asymptomatic but a second evaluation revealed arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. This delayed diagnosis emphasizes the importance of renewed noninvasive evaluation of patients with asymptomatic ventricular extrasystoles.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. A rare cause of dyspnea and cyanosis in an adult].

The authors report the case of a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula presenting with dyspnoea and cyanosis in a young adult. The malformation was situated on the proximal pulmonary vessels and was cured by surgical correction. The diagnostic value of the clinical signs and complementary investigations of this rare conditions, often detected during adulthood, is discussed. The functional tolerance of the condition is often variable. Oxygen desaturation of arterial blood indicates a right-to-left shunt. Pulmonary angiography enables visualisation of the lesions and guides surgical management. The prevalence of complications of this condition is not well known, but the potential severity is an argument for therapeutic intervention. Embolisation techniques are developing but there is a risk of a systemic embolism. Surgery is the reference for the treatment of proximal fistulae, its curative effect being immediate and definitive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Vagal syncope in young adults: specificity of the tilt-table test].

OBJECTIVE: The head-up tilt test has been used for more than 10 years to reproduce vagal lipothymia. The criteria for a positive test and specificity are however still lacking. METHOD: Thirty male volunteers, age 18 to 35 years, with no past history of lipothymia nor any signs of hypervagotonicity at physical examination, on fasting blood samples or on exercise tests with sudden interruption and Holter recording were selected for the study. Two head-up tilt tests at 60 degrees for 45 minutes were conducted, one with no presensitivisation and the other with a bolus of isoproterenol (2, 4, 6 and 8 micrograms) starting 30 minutes after the beginning of the test. Blood pressure was measured throughout the test. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure curves showed drops of more than 30 mmHg accompanied by spontaneously resolving clinical signs in 6 of the 30 subjects during the non-sensitized tests and in 14 out of 30 during the sensitized tests. A symptomatic drop in systolic blood pressure of more than 30 mmHg compared to the moment before the malaise accompanied by clinical signs which did not resolve within 1 minute and required returning to the supine position occurred in one volunteer during a non-sensibilized test. This same type of reaction was observed in 4 volunteers during sensitized tests, three times after an isoproterenol bolus. CONCLUSION: Taking this later manifestation as the criteria for a positive head-up tilt test, the specificity of the non-sensitized and isoproterenol-sensitized tests in the young adult are 96.7 and 86.7% respectively. These findings must be considered with caution since there is no proof that these young men with no past history of hypervagotonicity but a positive head-up tilt test may be one day confronted with a situation generating a vagal reaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Halofantrine: for new rules of prescription].

Halofantrine is an antimalarial drug widely prescribed for chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. It has been recognized to cause serious deleterious effects which have dampened early enthusiasm for this compound. Basically, the adverse effects involve lengthening of the QTc interval, torsade de pointes and induction of late ventricular potentials. These side effects are related to the quinidine-like effect of the drug which has a chemical structure similar to quinine and quinidinic drugs. More recently, severe haemolytic accidents have been reported suggesting an autoimmunization mechanism. These side effects imply new rules for prescription and more prudent use of halofantrine, especially for prophylaxic therapy against malarial attacks in travellers.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed1995

[Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia disclosed by ventricular extrasystole].

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is one of the principal causes of sudden cardiac death in young subjects. In the absence of ventricular tachycardia, the disease can be revealed by simple ventricular extrasystole. In the light of such a case, the authors discuss the value of various complementary investigations for the diagnosis of these clinical forms with little or no symptoms. Detailed examination of the electrocardiogram followed by a search for late ventricular potentials are decisive steps before proceeding to invasive investigations which often remain essential to confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis remains uncertain, and is always dominated by the risk of sudden death, even in these apparently minor forms of the disease. This point further emphasizes the need for detection, which should be facilitated by the recent establishment of a list of diagnostic criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Pathogenic approach of thrombopenia in dengue and its hemorrhagic complications].

Dengue is a frequent viral infection in the intertropical countries. The frequency and the severe forms of this infection are a real problem of public health. The haemorrhagic forms of the disease are constantly associated with thrombocytopenia. Its pathophysiology is still unclear. Among the different hypothesis, immune mechanisms play the main role. The authors discussed here the responsibility of the binding of immune complexes and the role of cytokines.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1994

[Contribution of myocardial biopsy and immunohistochemistry to the prognostic evaluation of cardiac amyloidosis].

The authors report four cases of cardiac amyloidosis, the diagnosis of which was confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy. They underline the value of immuno-histological studies with labelling of the biopsy fragments with anti-transthyretin and anti-light chain immunoglobulin antibodies. This approach provides a more precise typing of amyloidosis and a more accurate evaluation of the prognosis.

Adult↗