Multivariable assessment of the right ventricle by echocardiography in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot undergoing pulmonary valve replacement: a comparative study with magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Evaluation of the right ventricle (RV) using transthoracic echocardiography is challenging in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF).

Aims: To evaluate the accuracy of conventional echocardiographic variables and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in assessing right ventricular (RV) volumes and function compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in adult patients with rTOF and referred for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR).

Methods: Complete echocardiography was performed on 26 consecutive patients referred for PVR, before and 1 year after surgery.

Propensity-based study of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

To assess the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) attributable to aminoglycosides (AGs) in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, we performed a retrospective cohort study in one medical intensive care unit (ICU) in France. Patients admitted for severe sepsis/septic shock between November 2008 and January 2010 were eligible. A propensity score for AG administration was built using day 1 demographic and clinical characteristics.

[Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) predicts acute kidney injury in septic shock at ICU admission].

Purpose: To validate plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (pNGAL) as an early biomarker in intensive care unit (ICU) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill adult with septic shock.

Patients And Method: Fifty consecutive patients with septic shock were included in this observational cohort study. AKI was defined if patients met any RIFLE or AKIN criteria.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy under noninvasive ventilation and propofol target-controlled infusion in hypoxemic patients.

Purpose: In critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (FOB-BAL) are important tools in diagnostic strategies. In nonintubated patients, the patient's agitation may lead to desaturation and compromise the realization of FOB. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of target-controlled (TCI) propofol sedation during FOB-BAL in nonintubated hypoxemic patients.

Target-controlled infusion of propofol for sedation in patients with non-invasive ventilation failure due to low tolerance: a preliminary study.

Purpose: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in critically ill patients is associated with a high failure rate. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and safety of target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol for conscious sedation during NIV in patients with NIV failure due to low tolerance.

Methods: Ten patients with NIV failure due to discomfort, agitation and/or refusal to continue with this ventilatory support were included; seven had acute respiratory failure and three had acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Image-guided control of transgene expression based on local hyperthermia.

Spatial and temporal control of transgene expression is one of the major prerequisites of efficient gene therapy. Recently, a noninvasive, physical approach has been presented based on local heat in combination with a heat-sensitive promoter. This strategy requires tight temperature control in vivo.

Spatial and temporal control of transgene expression in vivo using a heat-sensitive promoter and MRI-guided focused ultrasound.

Background: Among the techniques used to induce and control gene expression, a non-invasive, physical approach based on local heat in combination with a heat-sensitive promoter represents a promising alternative but requires accurate temperature control in vivo. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRI-FUS) with real-time feedback control allows automatic execution of a predefined temperature-time trajectory. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate temporal and spatial control of transgene expression based on a well-defined local hyperthermia generated by MRI-FUS.