A retrospective study of ketamine administration and the development of acute or post-traumatic stress disorder in 274 war-wounded soldiers.

The objective of this study was to explore whether ketamine prevents or exacerbates acute or post-traumatic stress disorders in military trauma patients. We conducted a retrospective study of a database from the French Military Health Service, including all soldiers surviving a war injury in Afghanistan (2010-2012). The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder was made by a psychiatrist and patients were analysed according to the presence or absence of this condition. Analysis included the following covariables: age; sex; acute stress disorder; blast injury; associated fatality; brain injury; traumatic amputation; Glasgow coma scale; injury severity score; administered drugs; number of surgical procedures; physical, neurosensory or aesthetic sequelae; and the development chronic pain. Covariables related to post-traumatic and acute stress disorders with a p ≤ 0.10 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. The data from 450 soldiers were identified; 399 survived, of which 274 were analysed. Among these, 98 (36%) suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and 89 (32%) had received ketamine. Fifty-four patients (55%) in the post-traumatic stress disorder group received ketamine vs. 35 (20%) in the no PTSD group (p < 0.001). The 89 injured soldiers who received ketamine had a median (IQR [range]) injury severity score of 5 (3-13 [1-26]) vs. 3 (2-4 [1-6] in the 185 patients who did not (p < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, only acute stress disorder and total number of surgical procedures were independently associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. In this retrospective study, ketamine administration was not a risk factor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in the military trauma setting.

[Pulmonary embolism in the context of severe envenomation by a Moroccan viper]. / Embolie pulmonaire dans les suites d'une envenimation grave par une vipère marocaine.

Heparin, which was widely used thirty years ago for the treatment of viper envenomations, is now contra-indicated during the acute phase, which is at risk for hemorrhage and death. We report a case of pulmonary embolism, a rare situation in the context of viper envenomation. By means of this case report, we want to discuss the pathophysiological links between envenomation and thromboembolic disease, and on the other hand, the potential heparin usefulness, not during the acute, hemorrhagic phase, but as a prophylactic treatment when hemorrhagic risk has been replaced by an inflammatory syndrome, with increased fibrinogen and platelets which are then prothrombotic factors.

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by tropical eosinophilic lung disease: a case in Gabon]. / Syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë révélateur d'un poumon éosinophile tropical : une observation au Gabon.

The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a 28-year-old woman in whom acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following cholecystectomy led to the discovery of eosinophilic lung disease. Outcome was favorable after oxygenotherapy and medical treatment using ivermectin and corticosteroids. The case shows that hypereosinophilic syndrome can be the underlying cause of ARDS.

[Ketamine: drug facts, uses in anesthesia, and new applications for analgesia]. / La kétamine rappels pharmacologiques, utilisations en anesthésie et nouveautés pour l'analgésie.

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug of choice in tropical zones. In addition to excellent pharmocologic properties and low cost, it offers the possibility of using a variety of administration routes and of performing invasive procedures with spontaneous ventilation. Adverse psychodysleptic effects can be prevented by association with midazolam or propofol. Hypersalivation can be prevented with atropine. Recent experience has shown that thanks to its antihyperalgesic effects ketamine can be used for postoperative analgesia at doses ten times lower than for anesthesia.

Efficacy and safety of oral ketamine for the relief of intractable chronic pain: A retrospective 5-year study of 51 patients.

BACKGROUND: This work summarizes the efficiency, failures and adverse effects of oral administration of ketamine at home for intractable pain. METHODS: This 5-year retrospective study involved testing ketamine by intravenous in-hospital administration, then a conversion to an oral route, or oral treatment directly administered at home. The daily intravenous dose was increased by steps of 0.5 mg/kg to attain an effective daily dose of 1.5-3.0 mg/kg. Pain was evaluated on a numeric scale from 0 to 10, and evidence of adverse effects was collected every day. The effective daily dose was delivered orally (three to four intakes). If effective, ketamine was continued for 3 months. Short infusions or direct oral treatment began with a 0.5-mg/kg dose, then the daily ketamine dose was increased in 15- to 20-mg increments. RESULTS: Among 55 cases (51 patients, neuropathic pain 60%), the mean effective oral dose was 2 mg/kg. Ketamine was effective in 24 patients (44%, mean pain reduction 67 ± 17%), partially effective in 20% (mean pain reduction 30 ± 11%), with a mean opioid sparing of 63 ± 32%, and failure in 22%. Half of the patients experienced adverse effects, but only eight had to stop treatment. For patients with opioid therapy, failure of ketamine was less frequent (7% vs. 36%; p < 0.02), with fewer adverse effects (33% vs. 68%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pain was reduced or abolished in two-thirds of patients under ketamine therapy; ketamine was effective for patients taking opioids and resulted in few adverse effects.

Severe hypokalaemic paralysis from an unusual cause mimicking the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We report a case of hypokalaemic quadriparesis occurring 37 years after a bilateral ureterosigmoidostomy. The history and physical signs as well as cerebrospinal fluid analysis initially led to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Acidosis and profound hypokalaemia were present and a dramatic improvement occurred after rapid correction of the potassium depletion. The underlying mechanism of potassium depletion which occurs after this mode of urinary diversion are briefly discussed.

Bronchopulmonary distress associated with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

We describe here a patient with severe TEN and respiratory distress and we review the subject of bronchopulmonary symptoms in TEN. Even if pseudostratified ciliated involvement is uncommon, bronchial lesions in the absence of other known causes, should be specifically related to TEN. The mechanisms of pulmonary involvement and ARDS associated with TEN are discussed.

[Action of venoms on blood coagulation: diagnosis of hemorrhagic syndromes]. / Action des venins sur la coagulation sanguine: diagnostic des syndromes hémorragiques.

Venoms from Viperidae, Crotalidae, some Australian Elapidae and few Colubridae are a mixture of enzymes which impact on blood coagulation in several ways. These proteins can be classified as haemorragins which induce disorders of the capillary permeability, disintegrins and related proteins which disturb the clotting time while acting on plate adhesion, and proteases which cleave peptides. Venoms contain molecules directed against several targets of the coagulation system. The same molecule may present different activities. Components of snake venoms are used in diagnostic coagulation tests, fundamental research and as drugs against infectious agents, cancer or haematological disorders. The structural differences between proteins from snake venoms and natural coagulation factors and the target diversity of the venom components explain why it remains illusory to treat bleedings when acting just at symptom level. Conversely, antivenom, whose components are directed against the venom proteins, is the only aetiological therapy effective against snake envenomations.

[Clinical and biological surveillance of envenomed patients]. / Surveillance clinique et biologique des patients envenimés.

Faced with an envenomation, the problem is to take sufficiently rapidly the decision to administer the only effective treatment--immunotherapy--, to know which antivenom to choose and how long to administrate it. If the snake is not identified, symptoms and initial development give information on the type of venom. It is convenient to classify the symptoms according to four clinical types: i) the cobra syndrome with a potentially fatal evolution within two to ten hours and which resembles an Elapid bite, ii) the viper syndrome associating bleeding and inflammation, which can be due either to a viper, pit viper or, in Australia, to Elapids, iii) disturbance of blood circulating functions and iv) disturbance of other live functions. Between the third to the half of snakebite victims present no envenomation. Severe envenomations must be monitored in an intensive care unit, with experience in emergency management and monitoring of patients with major life-threatening conditions. Throughout the world, snakebites induce more than 100,000 deaths every year. Schematically, the emergency may be considered in terms of seconds for blood circulation disorders, minutes for respiratory paralysis, and hours for the coagulopathy.

Round table and synthesis of the meeting.

Our knowledge of the epidemiology of scorpion stings and snakebites remains fragmentary but sufficient, nevertheless, to be able to confirm that envenomations constitute a real public health problem throughout Africa. In order for the health authorities to be able to improve management of this problem, data collection must be enhanced. The objective should be to determine what kinds of intervention are necessary (quantity of antivenom serum and drugs, in particular) and where they should be applied. Specialists must come to a rapid consensus for a simple therapeutic protocol to be used in peripheral health centres where means are often scarce. Training for health personnel is also insufficient. Appropriate courses must be organised for medical doctors and nurses within both their basic and on-going training. These courses must necessarily involve health personnel from rural zones must affected by envenomations. The availability of antivenom serum--the only specific, efficacious drug--must be improved as soon as possible. If quantitative and geographic needs can be determined by epidemiological studies, then distribution must be developed by original means (grouping orders at national level, direct orders) and diversified financial support (purchase on the open market, local authority grants, community participation). The symposium attendees agreed to meet again within two years' time to evaluate progress in the area.

[Fatal Lyell's syndrome caused by griseofulvin]. / Syndrome de Lyell d'évolution fatale après prise de griséofulvine.

A case of toxic epidermolysis (TE) with a fatal outcome is reported. It occurred after administration of 500 mg griseofulvin twice daily in a 19-year-old female patient. She developed the first skin lesions on the sixth day of treatment. All the body surface was involved, except for the scalp. Several complications arose in the course of the disease, thrombocytopaenia, lymphocytopaenia, rhabdomyolysis, and non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Death occurred as a result of multiple organ failure following septic shock associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome. The pathogenesis of these complications and the major therapeutic difficulties encountered are discussed. The involvement of griseofulvin in TE has only been reported once before. The arguments in favour of its involvement in the present case are discussed.

[Ischemia, myocardial infarction and epidural anesthesia in patients with coronary disease]. / Ischémie, infarctus myocardique et anesthésie péridurale chez le coronarien.

In patients with coronary artery disease, the beneficial effects of epidural anesthesia are well known and often emphasized. Thus, several studies have shown a decrease in the determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption, and an improvement in regional and global left ventricular performance. The disadvantages of epidural anesthesia in patients with coronary artery disease are also well known, however, rarely reported. These detrimental effects are dominated by a decrease in arterial pressure which in turn may compromise the coronary perfusion pressure and induce myocardial ischemia. These 2 case reports illustrate the occurrence of myocardial complications in relation to epidural anesthesia. These case reports contrast with data from the literature showing a beneficial influence of epidural anesthesia on the myocardium. However, the severity of the coronary artery disease in these 2 reported patients may explain this discrepancy. These case reports pointed out that the decrease in arterial pressure is not the exclusive mechanism by which myocardial ischemia may be observed during epidural anesthesia since an hemodynamically-unrelated ischemic episode is described. The treatment of myocardial ischemia during epidural anesthesia is illustrated by these 2 case reports. A relationship between myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction is discussed from these observations.

[Epidemiologic study of qat use in the National Army of Djibouti]. / Etude epidemiologique du qâtisme dans l'armee nationale djiboutienne.

Chewing of qat leaves is a traditional practice in the horn of Africa. Amphetamine-like alkaloids contained in the leaves account for the psychostimulating (anorexia, exhiliaration, euphoria) and sympathomimetic effects. The results of this prospective study based on interviews of 100 servicemen seeking medical advice showed that the prevalence of qat use in the National Army of Djibouti was 84%. Mean consumption of qat by users was 400 +/- 50 grams per chew requiring a monthly expenditure of approximately 500 FF. Heart rate and blood pressure in users were not significantly different from non-users. No correlation was found between blood pressure and either age or quantity of qat ingested per chew. A greenish discoloration of the tongue was observed in 65% of qat users but this sign was not specific (60%). qat use was correlated with poor dental health. The findings of this study indicate that qat use is widespread among young males in Djibouti but that its cardiovascular effects are limited in this age group.

[Hypertensive effects of qat]. / Effets hypertenseurs du qât.

Chewing of Qat leaves which contain amphetamine alkaloids is a traditional drug practice in the horn of Africa. Cathine and cathinone are responsible for the desired psychogenic (suppression of hunger, mind stimulation, euphoria) and sympathicomimetic effects. In this study, we monitored seven volunteers during a traditional qat ritual. An increase in systolic and diastolic pressure was observed in three patients including one presenting predisposing chronic arterial hypertension. Peak pressure was observed approximately seven hours after beginning the ritual. The three patients presenting pressure changes were not significantly different from the four unaffected patients with regard to age or duration of qat use. These findings suggest that qat use by untreated hypertensive patients who react strongly to vasoconstrictive effects can lead to hypertension and resulting cardiovascular complications.

[A postoperative syndrome of confusion and stupor or a central anticholinergic syndrome?]. / Syndrome confusionnel et stuporeux postopératoire ou syndrome anticholinergique central?

A case is reported of a 23 year old man who sustained a central anticholinergic syndrome after undergoing upper limb surgery under regional anaesthesia and sedation with 2 mg midazolam and 75 micrograms fentanyl. The disturbances consisted of excitation and inhibition. On the 4th postoperative day, he developed progressive coma, quickly and totally reversed with 2 mg physostigmine. Chronic benzodiazepine therapy seems to be a facilitating factor of central anticholinergic syndrome. The low rate of this postoperative complication seems to proceed from failure to recognize it. Differential diagnosis and place of physostigmine therapy are discussed.

[Bolus esmolol prior to tracheal intubation of the elderly patient]. / L'esmolol en bolus avant l'intubation trachéale du sujet âgé.

Twenty-seven patients 76 +/- 7 years old, ASA I or II, scheduled for short eye surgery, were randomized in two groups so as to study and compare the effects of esmolol--injected after induction of general anaesthesia, 2 or 3 mg.kg-1--or topic laryngeal anaesthesia on the haemodynamic consequences of endotracheal intubation. Induction was performed with fentanyl, thiopental and atracurium. The rate-pressure product was significantly lower (less than 11.000 b.min-1.mmHg-1) in the esmolol group. However 4 patients out of 5 who received the higher dosage of esmolol (3 mg.kg-1) had a marked blood pressure fall requiring ephedrine. A vascular collapse was observed in one of them but Buffington's ratio never fell under the critical value. In all cases small doses of ephedrine were efficient. No serious complications were observed in both groups. This preliminary study lacked a control group without esmolol or laryngeal spray. On the other hand, haemodynamic effects of tracheal intubation could be further studied after bolus esmolol or topic anaesthesia in real ASA III cardiovascular patients.

[Which antivenom for Cerastes envenoming?]. / Quel antivenin pour les envenimations par les vipères du genre Cerastes ?

During Echis viper envenoming, the administration of a single FAV-Afrique(®) antivenin vial generally corrects hemostasis disorders in less than twelve hours. The correction of hemostasis after 36 hours by 4 vials of FAV-Afrique(®) is thus not in favor of the usefulness of this antivenin for Cerastes envenoming . Mortality due to viper envenoming in Africa is high, but more than 90 % of poisoned patients survive despite the absence of appropriate antivenom. The severity of poisoning depends on several factors: age and condition of the patient, location of the bite, composition and amount of injected venom, management delay, and therefore, survival is not necessarily synonymous of effectiveness of antivenom treatment. Cerastes venoms contain many enzymes that disrupt various stages of hemostasis. It remains to prove that FAV-Afrique(®), a polyvalent antivenom adapted to venom of the main species responsible for envenoming in sub-Saharan Africa, (Bitis, Echis, Naja and Dendroaspis), is able to neutralize these specific proteins. The most logical approach of Cerastes envenoming is the administration of an antivenin adapted to species found in North Africa: Favirept(®) (Sanofi Pasteur) is a polyvalent antivenom adapted to the venoms of C. cerastes, Bitis arietans, Echis leucogaster, Macrovipera deserti, Naja haje and Naja nigricollis.