Valproic acid-induced encephalopathy in very long course treated patients.

Primary Objective: In patients receiving valproate (VPA) treatment, valproate induced-encephalopathy (VIE) is among the most serious adverse side-effects and hyperammonaemia is a frequent and well-recognized event. This report evaluates adult patients receiving VPA for several years.

Research Design: This study was conducted in adult patients receiving VPA for several years.

Use of albumin in three French university hospitals: is prescription monitoring still useful in 2004?

Purpose: Use of albumin (indications and quantities involved) has not been assessed in France since major changes occurred after the publication of Cochrane group meta-analysis. The objectives of this study were to measure the repartition of albumin indications in three French university hospitals in 2004 and to assess the feasibility and usefulness to implement a prescription-monitoring program.

Methods: Exhaustive record of albumin prescription during 2 months in three French university hospitals of Marseille.