[ULB Medicine Faculty during world war 1914-1918].

As the German army closed the Belgian Universities, was the ULB Medicine Faculty still able to fulfil its missions ? Much has been written on Antoine Depage and the ambulance de l'Océan in La Panne so that it seems that faculty activities existed only in West Flanders in " Free Belgium". What about Brussels during German occupation ? Actually, several famous members of this Faculty are still working, teaching, searching and publishing in the capital. Faculty itself holds sessions in 1914, 1915 and 1918.

Particularities of urticaria seen in the emergency department.

Acute urticaria represents the most commonly observed skin disorder (35%) presenting in an emergency department. We retrospectively analysed the records of 676 patients admitted for acute urticaria in order to know the particularities and the main aetiologies. The mean age was 28; females being more affected than males.

Effect of flumazenil in a model of acute alcohol intoxication in rats.

The ability of high doses of flumazenil to antagonize ethanol-induced sedation was assessed via ethanol-induced loss of the righting reflex (LRR) in rats. Ethanol (3.5-5 g kg-1 i.

Flumazenil in mixed benzodiazepine/tricyclic antidepressant overdose: a placebo-controlled study in the dog.

This study evaluates the cardiac and neurologic risks associated with the antagonization of the benzodiazepine component of mixed drug overdoses, when cyclic antidepressants are also implicated. Twenty-four mongrel dogs were anesthetized and ventilated. Electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, and tidal carbon dioxide and arterial pressure were continuously recorded.

Risks of flumazenil in mixed benzodiazepine-tricyclic antidepressant overdose: report of a preliminary study in the dog.

This preliminary study evaluates the cardiac and neurological risks associated with the sudden antagonism of benzodiazepine (BZD)--induced sedation in dogs intoxicated with tricyclic anti-depressants (TCA). Twelve dogs were anesthetized with midazolam and ventilated with room air. EEG, ECG, and arterial pressure were continuously recorded.

Predicting severity of tricyclic antidepressant overdose.

The measurement of plasma concentration, a prolonged QRS interval, and level of consciousness have all been recommended as useful indicators of toxicity following tricyclic antidepressant overdose. The aims of this study were firstly, to determine the relative prognostic value of each of these indicators and secondly, to assess when a patient can be discharged safely from the intensive care unit. Data were evaluated on 67 patients with tricyclic antidepressant overdose from four centers.

Efficacy of flumazenil in acute alcohol intoxication: double blind placebo-controlled evaluation.

Flumazenil acts as an antidote for pharmacological and toxic effects due to benzodiazepines. Several isolated observations and short uncontrolled series have also suggested a possible effect against the impairment of consciousness induced by pure alcohol intoxication. Patients admitted in the emergency department with coma related to acute alcohol (ALC) or pure benzodiazepine (BZD) intoxication were randomized and treated blindly with either placebo or 1 mg flumazenil.

Effect of PK11195 on cardiovascular toxicity due to verapamil: an experimental study in the dog.

In vitro studies have suggested that peripheral binding sites (PBR) for benzodiazepine (BZD) could be coupled to the voltage operated calcium channel (VOC) in the heart and that PK11195, an non-BZD ligand with antagonistic activity at this receptors, could inhibit the electrophysiological and mechanical properties of both "peripheral" benzodiazepines and calcium channel blockers. This study evaluates the antidotal value of PK11195 against the cardiovascular depression and arrhythmias in a canine model of acute verapamil intoxication. Although sinus activity is more often preserved or restored (7/8 vs 1/6) in the animals treated with PK11195, this compound, administered in doses able to saturate heart PBR, is unable to prevent or correct the haemodynamic alterations induced by acute verapamil intoxication and the improvement of survival (8/8 vs 3/6) is not significant.

Zolpidem intoxication mimicking narcotic overdose: response to flumazenil.

Zolpidem is a recently introduced sleep-inducer which is thought to act on the central-type benzodiazepine receptors. This observation is the first report of drug poisoning with this compound. The toxic response was characterized by the development of a profound but short-lasting coma, associated with pin-point pupils and respiratory depression, as observed in a narcotic overdose.

Current status of antidotal therapies in acute human intoxications.

The purpose of this work is a review of usefulness, indications and handling of some antidotes which are at our disposal for therapeutic use since several years, especially naloxone, flumazenil, Fab fragments of digoxin specific antibodies, hydroxocobalamine, 4-methyl-pyrazole, N-acetylcystein or the new metal chelators. Older clinically relevant substances are also reviewed.

Agonism and antagonism at the benzodiazepine-receptor: a new concept for new approach of common drug poisoning.

The authors analyze the contribution of flumazenil to the diagnosis and the management of common drug poisoning. This paper defines the guidelines and limits for its use, after a review of the literature and the personal experience on this topic.

Activated charcoal in tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) bind to activated charcoal both in vitro and in vivo in healthy volunteers after a therapeutic dose of TCA. These findings provide a basis for the routine use of activated charcoal in TCA poisoning. The object of this study was to examine the effect of a single dose of 20 g of activated charcoal in overdose patients.

Specific treatment of benzodiazepine overdose.

Intentional benzodiazepine (BZD) overdose is usually a benign condition frequently encountered in the emergency department of hospital. Twenty-one patients, who were suspected of BZD overdose, were treated with the antagonist of the central type BZD-receptors Ro 15-1788. Samples for toxicological analysis were taken before and after treatment.

Ischemic pancreatitis and hepatitis secondary to ergotamine poisoning.

Acute ergotamine intoxication in a 29-year-old man was complicated by peripheral ischemia, pancreatitis, and hepatitis. The patient was treated with sodium nitroprusside infusion. Complications and treatment of ergotamine poisoning are discussed.

Omental panniculitis: an unusual cause of acute appendiceal syndrome.

We report the case of a 41-year-old patient with no history of abdominal symptoms who presented with an acute painful syndrome of the right flank and iliac fossa suggesting acute appendicitis. The diagnosis of panniculitis of the great omentum was suggested preoperatively by the particular aspect of omental fat observed by abdominal sonography and computed tomography. A subvoval omentum resection was performed and the outcome was uneventful.

Application of microcomputers for recording of patients in the emergency department.

Medical data in the ED can only be approached with computers. A simple, easy and cheap system is described.