Residents and ICU nurses get reliable static and dynamic haemodynamic assessments with aortic oesophageal Doppler.

BACKGROUND: Aortic oesophageal Doppler (ODM) allows continuous non-invasive haemodynamic monitoring. We tested to confirm if residents and nurses were able to reposition oesophageal probe (OP), obtain aortic blood flow of good quality and so perform reliable static and dynamic haemodynamic assessments. METHODS: Prospective observational study assessing ODM measurements were obtained by six residents and three nurses after they have participated in training. Measured (aortic diameter) and calculated haemodynamic data [indexed stroke volume (SVI), cardiac index] were directly obtained from ODM, after residents and nurses repositioned the OP. In a second group of patients, we tested the ability of residents and nurses to detect rapid haemodynamic changes after a passive leg raising. SVI comparison was the primary end point. Statistical analysis was performed using the method of Bland and Altman. RESULTS: Sixty-six haemodynamic measurements were performed on 42 patients. Mean bias for SVI between the skilled physician and residents, and between the skilled physician and nurses were -0.9 ± 5.2 ml/m(2) (P = 0.15), with a percentage error of 31%, and 0.9 ± 5.1 ml/m(2) (P = 0.14), with a percentage error of 33%, respectively. There was an excellent correlation for SVI between the physician and residents (r = 0.9; P < 0.0001) and between the physician and nurses (r = 0.9; P < 0.0001). Induced changes in SVI measured by residents and nurses strongly followed those of our skilled physician. CONCLUSION: Residents and nurses get reliable static and dynamic haemodynamic assessments with ODM compared to our skilled physician.

Bedside assessment of fibrinogen level in postpartum haemorrhage by thrombelastometry.

OBJECTIVES: To establish whether reagent-supported thrombelastometry with the rotation thrombelastometry system (ROTEM) point-of-care device correlated with fibrinogen level in postpartum haemorrhages. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. POPULATION AND SETTING: Ninety-one women at the third trimester of pregnancy: 37 with postpartum haemorrhage (study group) and 54 without abnormal bleeding (control group). METHODS: Standard laboratory test results were compared with those obtained at bedside from the ROTEM with the FIBTEM test (54 tests in the control group and 51 in the study group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of correlations between fibrinogen levels and FIBTEM test results: clotting time (CT), clot amplitude at 5 and 15 minutes (CA5; CA15) and maximal amplitude [maximum clot firmness (MCF)]. RESULTS: Median fibrinogen level was significantly lower in the haemorrhage group than in the control group (3.4 and 5.1 g/l, respectively, P < 0.0001). Median CT was higher in the haemorrhage group than in the control group (P = 0.05). CA5, CA15 and MCF were significantly lower in the haemorrhage group than in controls (P < 0.0001) and strongly correlated with fibrinogen levels in both groups (r = 0.84-0.87, P < 0.0001). A cut-off value of CA5 at 5 mm and CA15 at 6 mm presented an excellent sensitivity (100% for both parameters) and a good specificity (respectively 85 and 88%) to detect fibrinogen levels <1.5 g/l in postpartum haemorrhage. Conclusions The early parameters obtained from the FIBTEM test correlated well with fibrinogen levels. ROTEM might be helpful in guiding fibrinogen transfusion during postpartum haemorrhage.

Evaluation of rotation thrombelastography for the diagnosis of hyperfibrinolysis in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Blood loss and uncontrollable bleeding are major factors affecting survival in trauma patients. Because treatment with antifibrinolytic drugs may be effective, early detection of hyperfibrinolysis with rotation thrombelastography (ROTEM may be beneficial. METHODS: Eighty-seven trauma patients were included in this prospective observational study. Blood samples were collected at admission. After in vitro activation with tissue factor (EXTEM) and inhibition with aprotinin (APTEM), ROTEM parameters including maximal clot firmness (MCF) and clot lysis index at 30 min (CLI(30)) were determined. Hyperfibrinolysis was defined as a euglobulin lysis time (ELT) <90 min. Threshold for ROTEM parameters were determined with receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis according to the ELT results. RESULTS: ELT was determined in a subgroup of 23 patients. In this group of patients, ROC analysis showed that for a threshold of 18 mm (MCF-EXTEM), 71% (CLI(30)) and 7% (increase of MCF-APTEM), sensitivity was, respectively, 100%, 75%, and 80% with a specificity of 100%. With the application of these thresholds to the whole trauma cohort, ROTEM analysis detected hyperfibrinolysis in five patients [6%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2-13%]. As expected, patients with hyperfibrinolysis were more severely injured (median Injury Severity Score: 75 vs 20, P<0.05), had greater coagulation abnormalities [international normalized ratio (INR): 8.2 vs 1.3, P<0.05; fibrinogen: 0.0 vs 2.2 g litre(-1), P<0.05], and a higher mortality rate (100%, CI: 48-100% vs 11% CI: 5-20%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ROTEM provided rapid and accurate detection of hyperfibrinolysis in severely injured trauma patients.

[Severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia: related complications and management]. / Hypertriglycéridémies gestationnelles sévères: complications et principes de prise en charge.

We present two cases of severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG>10g/l) in pregnancy. The first reports the case of a primigravida with mild HTG before conception. Triglycerides (TG) increased thereafter (20.9g/l) during pregnancy causing pancreatitis and in utero fetal death at 24 weeks' gestation (WG). The second deals with the de novo occurrence of a severe HTG (19g/l) diagnosed incidentally at 34 WG and complicated by acute renal failure. Severe HTG in pregnancy threatens maternal and fetal prognosis. We have summarized the curative and preventive management of gravidic HTG.

Diagnosis of early coagulation abnormalities in trauma patients by rotation thrombelastography.

BACKGROUND: Reagent-supported thromboelastometry with the rotation thrombelastography (e.g. ROTEM) is a whole blood assay that evaluates the visco-elastic properties during blood clot formation and clot lysis. A hemostatic monitor capable of rapid and accurate detection of clinical coagulopathy within the resuscitation room could improve management of bleeding after trauma. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to establish whether ROTEM correlated with standard coagulation parameters to rapidly detect bleeding disorders and whether it can help to guide transfusion. METHODS: Ninety trauma patients were included in the study. At admission, standard coagulation assays were performed and ROTEM parameters such as clot formation time (CFT) and clot amplitude (CA) were obtained at 15 min (CA(15)) with two activated tests (INTEM, EXTEM) and at 10 min (CA(10)) with a test analyzing specifically the fibrin component of coagulation (FIBTEM). RESULTS: Trauma induced significant modifications of coagulation as assessed by standard assays and ROTEM. A significant correlation was found between prothrombin time (PT) and CA(15)-EXTEM (r = 0.66, P < 0.0001), between activated partial thromboplastin time and CFT-INTEM (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001), between fibrinogen level and CA(10)-FIBTEM (r = 0.85, P < 0.0001), and between platelet count and CA(15)-INTEM (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001). A cutoff value of CA(15)-EXTEM at 32 mm and CA(10)-FIBTEM at 5 mm presented a good sensitivity (87% and 91%) and specificity (100% and 85%) to detect a PT > 1.5 of control value and a fibrinogen less than 1 g L(-1), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ROTEM is a point-of-care device that rapidly detects systemic changes of in vivo coagulation in trauma patients, and it might be a helpful device in guiding transfusion.

[Case report: a bacteremic pasteurellosis]. / Pasteurellose bactériémique: à propos d'un cas.

Bacteremic pasteurellosis is an uncommon form of Pasteurella multocida infection, usually involved in local infections. This systemic infection often occurs in immuno-compromised patient such as cirrhotic or alcoholic patients, with a high mortality rate (up to 60%). Septic shock may occur and neurological disorders or coma are frequent. We report such a case. Treatment associated local care, antibiotics (beta-lactam antibiotics plus fluoroquinolone) during 14 days and resuscitation of septic shock. Owing these therapies, septic shock was successfully treated without complications.

[Impact of a trauma network on mortality in patients with severe pelvic trauma]. / Impact de la mise en place d'un réseau de soins en traumatologie sur la mortalité des patients traumatisés graves du bassin.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of a regional trauma network on intra-hospital mortality rates of patients admitted with severe pelvic trauma. STUDY: Retrospective observational study. PATIENTS: Sixty-five trauma patients with serious pelvic fracture (pelvic abbreviated injury scale [AIS] score of 3 or more). METHODS: Demographic, physiologic and biological parameters were recorded. Observed mortality rates were compared to predicted mortality according to the Trauma Revised Injury Severity Score methodology adjusted by a case mix variation model. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were admitted in a level I trauma centre (reference centre) and 36 in level II trauma centres (centres with interventional radiology facility and/or neurosurgery). Patients from the level I trauma centre were more severely injured than those who were admitted at the level II trauma centres (Injury Severity Score [ISS]: 30 [13-75] vs 22 [9-59]; P<0.01). Time from trauma to hospital admission was also longer in level I trauma centre (115 [50-290] min vs 90 [28-240] min, P <0.01). Observed mortality rates (14%; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, [1-26%]) were lower than the predicted mortality (29%; 95% CI [13-44%]) in the level I trauma centre. No difference in mortality rates was found in the level II trauma centres. CONCLUSION: The regional trauma network could screen the most severely injured patients with pelvic trauma to admit them at a level I trauma centre. The observed mortality of these patients was lower than the predicted mortality despite increased time from trauma to admission.

[Diagnosis and treatment of trauma-induced coagulopathy]. / Diagnostic et prise en charge de la coagulopathie post-traumatique.

Trauma-induced coagulopathy is frequent and complex, and is responsible for an impairment of trauma outcome. Diagnosis of trauma coagulopathy is usually done with standard biology but recently new technics arose and gave us the opportunity to have faster information on coagulopathy with quick INR measure or clot formation study with thrombelastometry. Treatment of the coagulopathy should be done earlier in the course of trauma. Two strategies are possible that include either the association of RBC, platelet and FFP in a predefined ratio, or the use of factor concentrates guided with thrombelastometry. Treatment of favouring factors such as hypothermia, acidosis and hypocalcemia is also mandatory.

[Recurrent systemic embolism: look for a thrombus in... the thoracic aorta]. / Embolies systémiques récidivantes: chercher le thrombus dans... l'aorte.

Thoracic aortic mural thrombus is a rare entity and potential source of serious systemic emboli. The progress of computed tomography (CT) angiography and the current use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after any embolic event have considerably increased the frequency of diagnostic and there is a growing interest about the etiopathogenesis, which is still widely misunderstood. Therapeutic management remains controversial. We present a case of floating thrombus in the thoracic aorta detected by contrast-enhanced CT scan. This thrombus was responsible for two close major embolic events and was therefore managed surgically. Finally, outcome was favorable.

[Off label use of recombinant activated factor VII: a practice survey]. / Le facteur VII activé recombinant hors Autorisation de mise sur le marché à l'heure de la tarification à l'activité: enquête de pratique.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of local recommendations on off label use of recombinant activated factor VII. TYPE OF STUDY: Observational, retrospective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recommendations have been diffused by a local working group in 2004, concerning seven groups of indications (traumatology, cardiac, hepatic and various surgeries, obstetrics, neurology and haematology). Conformity to recommendations was studied according to 4 axes: respect of prescribing procedure, indication, posology, and pre ones required with the administration. RESULTS: There were thirty-one uses from 2004 to 2006. Thirty patients presented a massive haemorrhage (blood products before administration of recombinant activated factor VII expressed in median [min-max]: red blood cell unit=15 [0-37], fresh frozen plasma=11 [0-21]). Gravity score at the admission: SAPSII=55+/-22 (average+/-SD), 87% patients presented haemorrhagic shock. Prescribing procedure was in conformity with recommendations in 45%, indications were correct in 74%, posology in 55%, and 16% of prescriptions were completely conform. CONCLUSION: With the tariffing to the activity reform, the reimbursement of off label use of expensive molecules will depend on the respect of the evidence-based medicine. According to this study, the observance of local recommendations was insufficient. Rationalizing prescriptions for practice improvement seemed to be difficult and challenging.