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Biomedical subjects

P Montravers

Publications and source records attributed to P Montravers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Non pharmacological treatment of severe cutaneous infections: hyperbaric oxygen therapy, dressings and local treatments].

Beside conventional therapy, the management of necrotizing cellulitis and fasciitis is based on non-pharmacological treatments. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and dressings are the most frequently used techniques. The usefulness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is clearly demonstrated in experimental studies while the efficacy of this technique is poorly assessed in clinical practice. The French consensus conference has concluded to an adjuvant role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined to intensive care management, surgery and antibiotic therapy. Occlusive conventional dressings using humid or vaseline gauze dressings are largely used. Calcium alginate or silver coated dressings might be useful. In addition, vacuum-assisted closure therapy could be proposed in replacement of conventional dressings.

Bandages↗

[Necrotizing cutaneous infections and Fournier's gangrene].

Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing infection of skin and soft tissue of the perineum. Several sources of contamination have been described: cutaneous, urological or anorectal. Anatomy of the perineum helps in the prediction of the extension of the infection. The bacterial flora (usually mixed aero-anaerobic flora) depends on the source of infection: gram-positive cocci (skin source) combined with gram-negative bacilli and anaerobes (urological or anorectal source). CT scan and echography are useful tools for the diagnosis without delaying surgery. In the diagnostic procedure and the management, proctological examination, retrograde uretrography, bowel and urine derivation should be discussed.

Fasciitis↗

[Activated proteine C].

Recombinant human activated protein C (APC) might be the first pharmacological intervention which decreases mortality in the course of severe sepsis. Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines have recommended the use of APC with grade B level of proof. During sepsis, the APC pathway serves as a major system for controlling thrombosis inhibiting thrombin formation, limiting inflammatory responses, and potentially decreasing endothelial cell apoptosis. APC use was assessed in the course of severe sepsis 24 microg/kg/h for 96 hours with the aim of inhibiting coagulopathy and inflammation. The PROWESS trial included 1,690 patients and demonstrated a significantly decreased mortality in the treated group. Additional publications have clarified the characteristics of the included patients and tried to outline the potential benefits of APC. The results of ENHANCE, a multicenter open trial, have confirmed the trends reported in the PROWESS trial. Evidence supporting the efficacy of APC in the management of severe sepsis is clearly assessed. However, several issues remain unsolved and require to be addressed as the appropriate use of the drug and its place with other adjunctive therapies directed the sepsis process.

Blood Coagulation↗

[Disposable material for tracheal intubation: pilot study using Penlon Crystal blades and Penlon Lary Gard sheaths].

OBJECTIVE: The risk of cross infection due to non-conventional infectious agents has led to the development of single-use disposable medical material. For laryngoscopy, two attitudes have been proposed: the use of disposable blades or disposable translucide cover sheaths with steel blades. Practice studies assessing the quality of these devices are scarce, leaving the physician to his own experience. STUDY DESIGN: Open pilot study assessing satisfaction of the users during tracheal intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred patients of general surgery requiring tracheal intubation underwent laryngoscopy in routine condition with disposable blades (Penlon Crystal) or disposable cover sheaths (Penlon Lary Gard) with steel blades. The users gave a general appreciation of the device and specific comments on the easiness of insertion of the blade, intensity of light and its focus, quality of glottic exposure, easiness of tracheal tube insertion, and solidity of the device. RESULTS: With both devices, intubation was impossible in 6% of the patients. The users considered that intubation was performed in comfortable conditions with both devices. Dim light was noticed with Crystal blade. CONCLUSION: In case of use of disposable material, both devices seem to be close in terms of quality of intubation.

Adolescent↗

[Reactive haemophagocytic syndrome and multiple organ failure in intensive care unit patients].

The incidence of the haemophagocytic syndrome in the ICU patients with multiple organ failure seems to be high. The haemophagocytic syndrome can be considered as the consequence of the initial aggression leading to multiple organ failure. On the contrary the haemophagocytic syndrome could be the cause of multiple organ failure. A case of haemophagocytic syndrome is presented which led to rapidly fatal multiple organ failure.

Critical Care↗

[Infections by Candida sp. in intensive care. Survey of French practices].

OBJECTIVE: The isolation of Candida sp in nosocomial infections is on the increase and over the past 10 years many guidelines for "good" practices and recommendations have been published on the modalities for the management of systemic candidiasis. The aim of this paper was to assess the habits in the intensive care units in this domain in France. METHOD: A transversal survey on the habits was conducted from March to May 2001, using a questionnaire mailed to 200 intensive care units. RESULTS: One hundred eighty questionnaires (surgical reanimation: 12%, medical: 18%, medico-surgical: 70%) out of 200 (92.5%) were returned. The indirect diagnostic examinations: serology, search for antigenemia and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) were never used in 21, 35 and 65% of cases. The systematic search for colonisation (a mean of 4 areas sampled) was conducted in all the patients by 19% of the investigators, in some patients by 53%, and never by 28%. An antifungal treatment was prescribed: in the presence of a positive haemoculture alone, once out of twice if the sample had been taken from a central catheter and in 2 cases out of 3 when the sample was peripheral. It was prescribed 6 times out of 10 after isolation of Candida sp following surgery or on needle aspiration of an intra-abdominal abscess, varyingly in the case of cadiduria, isolation of a Candida sp in a broncho-pulmonary sample or in abdominal draining and positive culture of a catheter, depending on the intensity of the colonisation, the severity of the clinical picture and the presence of factors of risk for Candida infection. It is still prescribed empirically depending on the same elements and the absence of explanation for worsening. When faced with candidemia in a non-neutropenic patient, a central catheter is not changed in 18% of cases. Depending on the microbiology, fluconazole is prescribed in: the identification of yeast without further precision (78% of cases), Candida sp without further precision (86% of cases), Candida non albicans without further precision (57% of cases), C. albicans (93% of cases), Candida non albicans other than C. krusei and C. glabrata (62% of cases), C. glabrata (36% of cases) with an increase in dose in 1 out of 2 cases. In the presence of C. glabrata or C. krusei, amphotericin B is the choice in respectively 51 and 75% of cases. To adapt the treatment.

Adult↗

[Aortobronchial fistula developing from an infectious aneurysm of the thoracic aorta].

Aortobronchial fistula presenting as massive haemoptysis is a rapidly fatal process if not promptly diagnosed and repaired. It's an unusual complication of thoracic aneurysm. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman with rupture of a thoracic aortic infectious aneurysm secondary to an Escherichia coli infection. Aortobronchial fistula diagnosis should be considered in patients who have minor or major haemoptysis and correct diagnostic procedures should be performed early. An aggressive surgical approach is often necessary.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Impact of elements containing glycopeptide resistance genes on expression of virulence in Enterococcus faecalis peritonitis: a pilot study with rats.

The relationship between virulence and chromosomal elements containing glycopeptide resistance genes was experimentally assessed for two transconjugant strains of Enterococcus faecalis (VanA and VanB phenotypes) and compared to that for a susceptible wild-type strain. Microbiologic and inflammatory effects were assessed in a polymicrobial rat model of peritonitis. Mean peritoneal enterococcus concentrations +/- standard deviations at day 1 were 2.1 +/- 1.9, 1.3 +/- 1.1, and 1.7 +/- 2.0 log(10) CFU/ml for susceptible, VanA, and VanB strains, respectively (P < 0.05). At day 3 also there were lower concentrations of glycopeptide-resistant enterococcal strains in peritoneal fluid (3.2 +/- 3.4, 1.8 +/- 1.8, and 2.1 +/- 2.4 log(10) CFU/ml for susceptible, VanA, and VanB strains, respectively [P < 0.05]). Transconjugant glycopeptide-resistant strains were associated with increased peritoneal cell counts at the different evaluation times of the experiment (P < 0.001). Plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein concentrations were lower in the presence of the susceptible strain (667 +/- 189 mg/liter) than in the presence of the VanA or VanB strain (1,193 +/- 419 or 1,210 +/- 404 mg/liter, respectively [P < 0.05]), while concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 in peritoneal fluid remained similar for the strains. These results suggest a trend toward variation of virulence of transconjugant strains compared to the wild-type strain in this peritonitis model.

Animals↗

[Epidural anesthesia for Cesarean section in a patient with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome].

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance. It is mainly characterized by haemangioblastomas of the retina and central nervous system. Because of physiological effects of uterine contractions, labour and spontaneous vaginal delivery increase the risk of disrupting central nervous system haemangiblastomas. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with an history of VHL disease who had an epidural anaesthesia for labour and for Caesarean section performed because of failure to progress and of fetal distress. The overall maternal and neonatal outcomes were excellent.

Adult↗

[The economic impact of inadequate prescriptions].

The impact of antibiotic therapy has gone to considerable expense. The review of literature demonstrates that an optimal use of economical resources can be achieved by an improvement of medical prescriptions. This improvement of prescriptions can be obtained for prophylaxy and for curative therapy. Cost savings can be as high as one-year budget for the recruitment of an infectious diseases consultant.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Hemodynamic and echocardiographic effects of hemofiltration performed during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hemofiltration performed during rewarming before emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass on hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study; blind analysis of echocardiographic parameters and hemodynamic parameters. SETTING: Single-center study performed in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two groups of 13 adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to conventional procedure or hemofiltration performed with a polysulfone hemofilter. Hemofiltration, started at the time of rewarming on cardiopulmonary bypass, was performed with a flow rate adjusted to achieve an ultrafiltrate volume of 15 mL/kg on completion of rewarming. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic (systemic mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, heart rate) and echocardiographic parameters (shortening fraction, segmental kinetic score, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance) were measured before and after hemofiltration and on arrival in the intensive care unit. Heart rate and cardiac index were increased significantly in both groups during the postoperative period. In the control group, systemic vascular resistance was decreased significantly, and cardiac index was increased during the postoperative period, together with significant alterations of segmental kinetic score and shortening fraction. In the hemofiltration group, systemic vascular resistance remained unchanged, associated with a significantly improved segmental kinetic score compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hemofiltration performed during rewarming before emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with stability of hemodynamic parameters and improved segmental myocardial kinetics.

Adult↗

[Postoperative management. Critical care in intra-abdominal infection after surgical intervention].

UNDERESTIMATED FREQUENCY: Post-operative intraabdominal infections usually appear as abscesses or injury of the bowel, either alone or in combination. These complications of frequently underestimated frequency are characterized by high mortality. Improvement of their prognosis is obtained by early recognition of the complication and a multidisciplinary approach. ALARM SIGNS: In a patient who recently underwent abdominal surgery, the onset of abnormal signs must be considered as an alarm which imposes ruling out intraabdominal complications. Unexplained multiple organ failure or septic shock in the post-operative period of intraabdominal surgery must lead to considering explorative laparotomy. THERAPEUTICS: Etiologic treatment must be ideal and total from the first reoperation. Antibiotic therapy administered from the surgical reoperation must be different from previous treatments. This treatment is aimed at eradicating enterobacteriaceae, non-fermenting Gram negative aerobes, Gram positive cocci, anaerobes and fungi.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗

[Anesthetic management for delivery of an abdominal pregnancy].

We report the anaesthetic management of an abdominal pregnancy. The delivery was obtained by laparotomy, under general anaesthesia, by a multi-specialist team. Abdominal pregnancy carries a high foetal and maternal risk for morbidity and lethal outcome. The main complication is sudden haemorrhage which can occur at any time.

Adult↗