[Obstetrical epidural analgesia during labour: one dural puncture, repeated postural headaches, three blood patches ]. / Analgésie péridurale obstétricale pour le travail: une brèche dure-mérienne, des céphalées posturales, trois blood patchs

We report the case of a patient in whom three blood patches had to be performed to treat a post-dural puncture headache following the insertion of an epidural catheter for labour analgesia. There are few data about repeated blood patches used to treat recurring symptoms after failure of a previous blood patch. The technical guidelines used to perform a first blood patch should be followed for the next procedure as well. The role of the cerebrospinal fluid leaking in the symptoms has to be verified, to avoid performing a useless blood patch and to miss another cause, which needs an urgent treatment.

Pharmacokinetic analysis of pralidoxime after its intramuscular injection alone or in combination with atropine-avizafone in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of organophosphate poisoning with pralidoxime needs to be improved. Here we have studied the pharmacokinetics of pralidoxime after its intramuscular injection alone or in combination with avizafone and atropine using an auto-injector device. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The study was conducted in an open, randomized, single-dose, two-way, cross-over design. At each period, each subject received either intramuscular injections of pralidoxime (700 mg), or two injections of the combination: pralidoxime (350 mg), atropine (2 mg), avizafone (20 mg). Pralidoxime concentrations were quantified using a validated LC/MS-MS method. Two approaches were used to analyse these data: (i) a non-compartmental approach; and (ii) a compartmental modelling approach. KEY RESULTS: The injection of pralidoxime combination with atropine and avizafone provided a higher pralidoxime maximal concentration than that obtained after the injection of pralidoxime alone (out of bioequivalence range), while pralidoxime AUC values were equivalent. Pralidoxime concentrations reached their maximal value earlier after the injection of the combination. According to Akaike and to goodness of fit criteria, the best model describing the pharmacokinetics of pralidoxime was a two-compartment with a zero-order absorption model. When avizafone and atropine were injected with pralidoxime, the best model describing pralidoxime pharmacokinetics becomes a two-compartment with a first-order absorption model. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The two approaches, non-compartmental and compartmental, showed that the administration of avizafone and atropine with pralidoxime results in a faster absorption into the general circulation and higher maximal concentrations, compared with the administration of pralidoxime alone.

[Cardiac arrest at induction of a patient with thyrotoxicosis. Have you thought of anaphylaxis?]. / Arrêt cardiaque à l'induction d'un patient en thyrotoxicose. Avez-vous pensé à l'anaphylaxie ?

We report the occurrence of cardiac arrest shortly after the anaesthetic induction for thyroidectomy in a patient with decompensated thyrotoxicosis associated with taking amiodarone. After investigation, it was revealed that the cardiac arrest was linked to an anaphylactic reaction to suxamethonium. This accident, unrelated to hyperthyroidism, reminds us of the relative frequency and severity of anaphylactic reactions related to curare. This event, in the context of severe cardiac insufficiency, due to an amiodarone-associated thyrotoxicosis, is described here for the first time. Its diagnosis requires to remain consistent. Its support must be in compliance with the recommendations of learned societies of anaesthesia.

Bioavailability of diazepam after intramuscular injection of its water-soluble prodrug alone or with atropine-pralidoxime in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the relative bioavailability of diazepam after administration of diazepam itself or as a water-soluble prodrug, avizafone, in humans. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The study was conducted in an open, randomized, single-dose, three-way, cross-over design. Each subject received intramuscular injections of avizafone (20 mg), diazepam (11.3 mg) or avizafone (20 mg) combined with atropine (2 mg) and pralidoxime (350 mg) using a bi-compartmental auto-injector (AIBC). Plasma concentrations of diazepam were quantified using a validated LC/MS-MS assay, and were analysed by both a non-compartmental approach and by compartmental modelling. KEY RESULTS: The maximum concentration (C(max)) of diazepam after avizafone injection was higher than that obtained after injection of diazepam itself (231 vs. 148 ng.mL(-1)), while area under the curve (AUC) values were equal. Diazepam concentrations reached their maximal value faster after injection of avizafone. Injection of avizafone with atropine-pralidoxime (AIBC) had no effect on diazepam C(max) and AUC, but the time to C(max) was increased, relative to avizafone injected alone. According to the Akaike criterion, the pharmacokinetics of diazepam after injection as a prodrug was best described as a two-compartment with zero-order absorption model. When atropine and pralidoxime were injected with avizafone, the best pharmacokinetic model was a two-compartment with a first-order absorption model. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Diazepam had a faster entry to the general circulation and achieved higher C(max) after injection of prodrug than after the parent drug. Administration of avizafone in combination with atropine and pralidoxime by AIBC had no significant effect on diazepam AUC and C(max).

[Interest of Ineurope syringe for nerve agent intoxication]. / Intérêt de la seringue Ineurope devant une intoxication par neurotoxique de guerre.

Chemical weapons represent an ever-growing threat, not only for military forces but also for civilian populations. Nerve agents such as those used in terrorist attacks by the Aum sect in Tokyo are among the deadliest of those non conventional weapons. The French military health service has developed a new auto-injector presenting as a self-usable dual-chamber syringe and successfully obtained a new drug approval to provide this new emergency treatment for the military and civilians. After a short review of the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of acute nerve agent, the authors report the development and the process of new drug application. They finally suggest a clinical guideline for practical use in case of terrorist attack.

[Anaesthesic management of vaginal delivery in a parturient with C1 esterase deficiency]. / Prise en charge anesthésique d'un accouchement chez une patiente atteinte d'un déficit en inhibiteur de C1 estérase.

Hereditary and acquired angioedema (HAE/AAE) are the clinical translation of a qualitative or a quantitative deficit of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH). The frequency and severity of clinical manifestations vary greatly, ranging from a moderate swelling of the extremities to obstruction of upper airway. Anaesthesiologists and intensivists must be prepared to manage acute manifestations of this disease in case of life-threatening laryngeal edema. Surgery, physical trauma and labour are classical triggers of the disease. The anaesthesiologists should be aware of the drugs used as prophylaxis and treatment of acute attacks when considering labour and caesarean section. Androgens are contraindicated during pregnancy. If prophylaxis is required, tranexamic acid may be used with caution. The safest obstetric approach appears to be to administer a predelivery infusion of C1 INH concentrate. It is important to avoid manipulation of the airway as much as possible by relying on regional techniques. We report the case of a patient suffering from an HAE discovered during pregnancy. The management included administration of C1 INH during labor and early epidural analgesia for pain relief. A short review of the pathophysiology and therapeutic options follows.

[Acute meningoencephalitis revealing a Behçet's disease]. / Méningoencéphalite aiguë révélatrice d'une maladie de Behçet.

We report a 69-year-old man admitted in intensive care unit for aseptic meningoencephalitis. Initially, suspicion of an infectious etiology led to introduce an anti-infectious treatment. Behçet's disease was diagnosed during hospitalization incited to screen for noninfectious etiologies. A high dose steroid therapy was rapidly effective. The diagnosis of neuro-Behçet's disease was entertained.

[Organization of an operational site. Comparison of the durations of intervention planned and real]. / Organisation d'un site opératoire. Comparaison des durées d'intervention prévues et réelles.

OBJECTIVE: To improve planning of our operational site by comparing the durations of intervention scheduled by the surgeons and the real durations of occupation of room of intervention, surgical procedure and surgical operation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study carried out of December 8, 2003 to February 27, 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anaesthetic and surgical times of the interventions of visceral and gynaecological surgery were raised. From these data several durations were calculated like the duration of occupation of the room of intervention, surgical procedure and surgical operation. These durations were compared with the durations envisaged by the surgeons to carry out the planning of the operational activity. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten interventions were studied. The analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the duration planned and the real duration of occupation of the room of intervention 45 minutes [5-125] (p<0.0001). The duration planned corresponded with duration of surgical operation, duration which did not take into account anaesthetic induction and surgical installation. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the planning of an operational site depends on the exactness of the durations scheduled, which are used for its realization. It is significant that all the actors of the operating theatre suite use the durations closest to reality.

[A rare aetiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome in adult: leptospirosis]. / Une étiologie rare de syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë de l'adulte: la leptospirose.

We report the case of an 18-year-old man with pulmonary leptospirosis presenting as an atypical pneumonia with alveolar haemorrhage, without icterus. Has he developed ARDS the patient was admitted in intensive care unit. This patient was contaminated when swimming in a lake. The purpose of this article is to remind doctors that in patient presenting atypical pneumopathy with haemoptysis, the pulmonary leptospirosis should be considered.

[Black oesophagus, a rare event in intensive care unit]. / L'oesophage noir, une complication exceptionnelle du patient de réanimation.

We report a new case of acute necrotizing oesophagitis, diagnosing on a patient hospitalised in intensive care unit. This pathology is still a rare event; the definition excludes patients with a history of recent caustic ingestion. Oesophageal necrosis can be diagnosed at endoscopy by the presence of black necroting appearing oesophagus. Contrary to the caustic oesophagitis whose treatment is often surgical, treatment of the acute necrotizing oesophagitis is primarily medical. The prognosis for patients who develop acute necrotizing oesophagitis is generally poor, even if one can hope for the cure without after-effect of it.

[Severe pneumococcal meningitis and ceftriaxone allergy]. / Méningite grave à pneumocoque et allergie à la ceftriaxone.

We report the case of a 51-year-old man with an allergy to amoxicillin/acid clavulanique who presented with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Initial treatment consisted of an association of antibiotics including ceftriaxone. Six days after treatment was initiated the patient developed skin reaction and the diagnosis of allergy to ceftriaxone was established by the dosage of specific IgE. Typically Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis is treated with vancomycin and a third-generation cephalosporin. This association had to be modified because cross allergy to cephalosporins could have developed in this patient who had previously reacted to penicillins.

[Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a prospective comparison of the telescoping plugged catheter with the endotracheal aspirate]. / Diagnostic non invasif des pneumopathies nosocomiales acquises sous ventilation mécanique: comparaison entre le prélèvement distal protégé et l'aspiration endotrachéale.

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative culture of endotracheal aspirates (EA) is widely accepted for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the EA with the blinded plugged telescoping catheter (PTC) in patients suspected of VAP. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective non-randomised observational study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 31 patients suspected of having VAP underwent 46 bronchial samplings. An EA and a blinded PTC were performed successively in each case; the PTC result was taken as the reference standard. The EA and PTC cultures were defined positive if the result of bacterial cultures yielding were > or = 10(5) cfu.mL-1 and > or = 10(3) cfu.mL-1 respectively. RESULTS: The diagnosis of VAP could be established in 19 cases when PTC was taking as gold test. The overall agreement between the two techniques was 76%. EA had a sensitivity of 89.5%, a specificity of 66.7%, a negative predictive value of 90% and a positive predictive value of 65.4%. CONCLUSION: EA is a good diagnostic test when a non-invasive test has been chosen. The diagnosis of VAP could be excluded in 90% of cases when the EA cultures yielding were < 10(5) cfu.mL-1. His low specificity could drive in an over treatment of bronchopulmonar bacterial colonization. The accuracy of the EA compares well with that of the TPC for the diagnostic of VAP.