Itraconazole lung concentrations in haematological patients.

Itraconazole distribution is largely dependent on its high liposolubility. Intrapulmonary lung concentrations remain unknown in haematological patients. We report itraconazole lung concentrations in such patients treated with itraconazole.

[The value of anesthesia consultation in relation to the single preanesthetic visit].

Objective: In France, a preanaesthetic assessment (PAA) several days prior to hospital admission for a scheduled surgical or diagnostic procedure under anaesthesia, associated with a preanaesthetic visit (PAV) the day before, are compulsory. This study aimed at comparing the benefits of PAA with those of a PAV not preceded by a PAA.

Study Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized study.

[The circulation of anesthetic agents at Edouard-Herriot Hospital].

In order to improve quality, practice evaluation is a major tool for hospital management. For many years anaesthesia has been monitored by some form of quality assurance programme. However, despite the improvement in anaesthetic techniques, major problems persist, particularly with the use of anaesthetic agents.

[Central venous catheterization...don't forget the caval filter].

Among the complications of central venous line insertion, entrapment of guidewire by inferior vena cava filter has been exceptionally reported. Usually the disengagement attempts resulted in a filter migration. We report a case of guidewire entrapment successfully treated with interventional radiology techniques.

Acetate-free biofiltration for acute renal failure.

The characteristics of acetate-free biofiltration (AFB) are now well documented in patients with chronic renal failure: hemodynamic tolerance, correction of acid-base imbalance, buffer-free dialysate (without acetate) and absence of backfiltration. This hemodialysis technique can be beneficial to patients with acute renal failure (ARF). In our intensive care unit, we prospectively studied 29 patients with isolated ARF or ARF associated with failure of other organs.

Recombinant human interleukin-2, recombinant human interferon alfa-2a, or both in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Groupe Français d'Immunothérapie.

Background: Recombinant human interleukin-2 (aldesleukin) and recombinant human interferon alfa can induce notable tumor regression in a limited number of patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial to determine the effect of each cytokine independently and in combination, and to identify patients who are best suited for this treatment.

Methods: Four hundred twenty-five patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive either a continuous intravenous infusion of interleukin-2, subcutaneous injections of interferon alfa-2a, or both.

Influence of acute renal failure on FPIA rapid serum assay of midazolam and its main metabolite.

We recently developed a simple and fast assay technique, providing the possibility of monitoring of midazolam (M) during sedation. We compared HPLC vs FPIA for the measurement of the sum M plus alpha 1-hydroxymidazolam (OM), its main and pharmacologically active metabolite, in the serum of sedated ICU patients; this activity referred to as M-like. We identified certain patients in whom M-like activity appeared abnormally high in comparison with HPLC assays.

CD4 monoclonal antibody administration in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that probably involves a dysregulated activation of helper T cells, type 2 (Th2 cells). Severe refractory AD can be controlled by cyclosporine treatment.

Objective: We attempted to determine whether short-term CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy could improve severe AD in adults.

[Role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the perioperative period. Usefulness and limitations].

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including various chemical families of drugs, inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and act on the central nervous system. Prostaglandins are involved in regulation of regional circulations, cell turn-over in the gastrointestinal tract, and in primary haemostasis. The patterns of action of NSAIDs result in analgesic properties, but also in adverse effects.

[Gas embolism during endonasal YAG laser surgery].

The authors describe a case of air embolism during an endonasal YAG laser surgery in a 10-year-old child. This accident was caused by the coaxial air cooling system of the laser ruby tip. The importance of end tidal CO2 monitoring and precordial auscultation during laser surgery even in patients without risk factors is underlined.

Transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function in brain-dead patients: are marginally acceptable hearts suitable for transplantation?

Background: The brain-dead donor supply has become one of the criteria limiting the performance of heart transplantation. Conventional screening criteria are too limiting and exclude suitable heart donors. Echocardiography is now widely available and is a reliable tool to assess left ventricular dysfunction in brain-dead donors.

Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography and polyclonal fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the monitoring of midazolam in the plasma of intensive care unit patients.

Midazolam (M) is used as an induction agent for anesthesia. The main metabolite is alpha-hydroxymidazolam (OM), which is pharmacologically active. Use of M for sedation is a recent application, rapidly gaining favor.

Concentration of teicoplanin in the serum of adults with end stage chronic renal failure undergoing treatment for infection.

We examined the adequacy of the following schedule for the administration of i.v. teicoplanin to patients with chronic renal failure: three doses of 6 mg/kg at 12 h intervals, a fourth dose 24 h later and then subsequent doses every 72 h.

Evaluation of the informed consent procedure in cancer patients candidate to immunotherapy.

By addressing questionnaires to 24 cancer patients candidate to immunotherapy, we evaluated both the effects and the effectiveness of the medical information provided to the patient on their knowledge of the disease and the treatment. Most patients had correctly understood the information but 69% stated that they had been unable to ask all the questions they wished, and 62% required additional information. Most patients admitted to being emotionally distressed throughout the interview.

Clinical application of retroviral gene transfer in oncology: results of a French study with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes transduced with the gene of resistance to neomycin.

Purpose: Adoptive immunotherapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been reported to mediate tumor regression in some human cancers. To define better the biologic characteristics of TIL, especially survival and distribution in vivo, we performed a gene-marker study in patients with advanced malignancies.

Patients And Methods: We treated five patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma with adoptive immunotherapy.

Intensive regimen of cytokines with interleukin-2 and interferon alfa-2b in selected patients with metastatic renal carcinoma.

We conducted a Phase II trial using an intensive regimen combining interleukin-2 (IL2), interferon-alfa-2b (IFN), and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and the efficacy of this combination in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Thirty-one assessable patients were treated with at least one cycle of a regimen consisting of 20 x 10(6) IU/day s.