Hereditary angioedema, emergency management of attacks by a call center.

Objective: Hereditary angiœdema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent, unpredictable, potentially life-threatening swelling. Objective is to assess the management of the acute HAE attacks in the real life setting through a call center in France.

Methods: A pre-specified ancillary study of SOS-HAE, a cluster-randomized prospective multicenter trial, was conducted.

Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: The effect of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the family members themselves and the medical team remains controversial.

Methods: We enrolled 570 relatives of patients who were in cardiac arrest and were given CPR by 15 prehospital emergency medical service units. The units were randomly assigned either to systematically offer the family member the opportunity to observe CPR (intervention group) or to follow standard practice regarding family presence (control group).

Impact of the use of an automated chest-compression device on airway management during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the PLAINT study.

Introduction: Automated chest-compression devices (ACCDs) have recently been proposed in the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR). During CPR, it is still unknown whether the ACCD or intubation is to be first implemented. Knowing the impact of an ACCD on intubation conditions could strongly contribute to determine the best sequence.

Surgical mask to prevent influenza transmission in households: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Facemasks and respirators have been stockpiled during pandemic preparedness. However, data on their effectiveness for limiting transmission are scarce. We evaluated the effectiveness of facemask use by index cases for limiting influenza transmission by large droplets produced during coughing in households.

Severe pulmonary embolism associated with air travel.

Background: Air travel is believed to be a risk factor for pulmonary embolism, but the relation between pulmonary embolism and distance flown has not been documented. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the duration of air travel is related to the risk of pulmonary embolism.

Methods: From November 1993 to December 2000, we systematically reviewed all cases of pulmonary embolism requiring medical care on arrival at France's busiest international airport.