Fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor and susceptibility vessel sign on T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging.

Background: We investigated the relationship between von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrin monomers (FM), fibrinogen baseline levels and the presence of susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: SVS was assessed at admission using T2*-weighted GRE. Plasmatic levels of vWF, FM and fibrinogen were evaluated before the initiation of intravenous thrombolysis.

The natural occurrence of human fibrinogen variants disrupting inter-chain disulfide bonds (A{alpha}Cys36Gly, A{alpha}Cys36Arg and A{alpha}Cys45Tyr) confirms the role of N-terminal A{alpha} disulfide bonds in protein assembly and secretion.

Analyses of site-directed fibrinogen mutants expressed in several recombinant models have previously shown that both inter- and intra-chain disulfide bonds are critical for fibrinogen assembly and secretion. Four naturally occurring mutations on AαCys36 and AαCys45 residues are reported here to be associated with decreased fibrinogen levels. This confirms the main role of the AαCys36-BβCys65 and AαCys45-γCys23 disulfide bonds in reaching a normal fibrinogen plasma level.

[How can we optimize medical orderings in intensive care unit (ICU)?].

Objectives: To evaluate whether intensivists would accept to optimize their orderings of biological samplings, x-rays and target drugs and to assess the consequence on patient's outcome.

Study Design: Monocentric evaluation of medical economic procedure.

Methods: Meetings of consultants, registrars and residents started on Dec 21, 2006 with two to three sessions a year in order to evaluate the process of medical ordering.

Danaparoid cross-reactivity with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibodies: report of 12 cases.

Purpose: Danaparoid is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We describe an uncommon complication: danaparoid cross-reactivity with HIT antibodies.

Design And Setting: A retrospective observational multicenter study on HIT was conducted in France.