Should Postanoxic Status Epilepticus be Treated Aggressively?-No!

Electrographic status epilepticus and myoclonus represent frequent findings in patients surviving cardiac arrest; both features have been related to poor clinical outcome. Recent data have outlined that status epilepticus appearing during therapeutic hypothermia and sedation is practically and invariably related to a fatal issue, as opposed to some patients presenting status epilepticus and/or myoclonus after return to normothermic conditions. Although it seems reasonable to give a chance of awakening to the latter patients by administering consequent antiepileptic treatment, especially if other favorable prognostic markers are observed, an aggressive treatment of status epilepticus arising during hypothermia seems futile in view of the existing evidence.

New-onset refractory status epilepticus: Etiology, clinical features, and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the etiology, clinical features, and predictors of outcome of new-onset refractory status epilepticus. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with refractory status epilepticus without etiology identified within 48 hours of admission between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2013, in 13 academic medical centers. The primary outcome measure was poor functional outcome at discharge (defined as a score >3 on the modified Rankin Scale). RESULTS: Of 130 cases, 67 (52%) remained cryptogenic. The most common identified etiologies were autoimmune (19%) and paraneoplastic (18%) encephalitis. Full data were available in 125 cases (62 cryptogenic). Poor outcome occurred in 77 of 125 cases (62%), and 28 (22%) died. Predictors of poor outcome included duration of status epilepticus, use of anesthetics, and medical complications. Among the 63 patients with available follow-up data (median 9 months), functional status improved in 36 (57%); 79% had good or fair outcome at last follow-up, but epilepsy developed in 37% with most survivors (92%) remaining on antiseizure medications. Immune therapies were used less frequently in cryptogenic cases, despite a comparable prevalence of inflammatory CSF changes. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune encephalitis is the most commonly identified cause of new-onset refractory status epilepticus, but half remain cryptogenic. Outcome at discharge is poor but improves during follow-up. Epilepsy develops in most cases. The role of anesthetics and immune therapies warrants further investigation.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in common variable immunodeficiency: mitigated course under mirtazapine and mefloquine.

Demonstration of survival and outcome of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in a 56-year-old patient with common variable immunodeficiency, consisting of severe hypogammaglobulinemia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia, during continuous treatment with mirtazapine (30 mg/day) and mefloquine (250 mg/week) over 23 months. Regular clinical examinations including Rankin scale and Barthel index, nine-hole peg and box and block tests, Berg balance, 10-m walking tests, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were done. Laboratory diagnostics included complete blood count and JC virus (JCV) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The noncoding control region (NCCR) of JCV, important for neurotropism and neurovirulence, was sequenced. Repetitive MRI investigated the course of brain lesions. JCV was detected in increasing concentrations (peak 2568 copies/ml CSF), and its NCCR was genetically rearranged. Under treatment, the rearrangement changed toward the archetype sequence, and later JCV DNA became undetectable. Total brain lesion volume decreased (8.54 to 3.97 cm(3)) and atrophy increased. Barthel (60 to 100 to 80 points) and Rankin (4 to 2 to 3) scores, gait stability, and box and block (7, 35, 25 pieces) and nine-hole peg (300, 50, 300 s) test performances first improved but subsequently worsened. Cognition and walking speed remained stable. Despite initial rapid deterioration, the patient survived under continuous treatment with mirtazapine and mefloquine even though he belongs to a PML subgroup that is usually fatal within a few months. This course was paralleled by JCV clones with presumably lower replication capability before JCV became undetectable. Neurological deficits were due to PML lesions and progressive brain atrophy.

Gender differences in cancer patients with acute venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of cancer patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) may differ according to gender. METHODS: We used the RIETE database to compare the rate of VTE (pulmonary embolism [PE] or deep vein thrombosis [DVT]) recurrences), major bleeding and mortality during the course of anticoagulation, according to gender. RESULTS: As of August 2014, 11,055 patients with active cancer were enrolled in RIETE, of whom 5,104 (46%) were women. During the course of anticoagulation (mean: 142 days), 505 patients developed recurrent VTE, 429 bled and 2730 died. Compared with men, women had a significantly lower rate of fatal bleeding (risk ratio [RR]: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47-0.99) and death (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.83-0.97), and a non-significantly lower rate of PE recurrences (RR 0.83; 95% CI: 0.65-1.06) and major bleeding (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.74-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: During the course of anticoagulation, cancer women with VTE had a better outcome than men.

Genetically-defined deficiency of mannose-binding lectin is associated with protection after experimental stroke in mice and outcome in human stroke

The complement system is a major effector of innate immunity that has been involved in stroke brain damage. Complement activation occurs through the classical, alternative and lectin pathways. The latter is initiated by mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs). Here we investigated whether the lectin pathway contributes to stroke outcome in mice and humans.

How to report multiple outcome metrics in virtual reality simulation

Background Virtual reality (VR) simulation is increasingly used in surgical disciplines. Since VR simulators measure multiple outcomes, standardized reporting is needed. Methods We present an algorithm for combining multiple VR outcomes into dimension summary measures, which are then integrated into a meaningful total score. We reanalyzed the data of two VR studies applying the algorithm. Results The proposed algorithm was successfully applied to both VR studies. Conclusions The algorithm contributes to standardized and transparent reporting in VR-related research.

Is Favorable Outcome Possible After Prolonged Refractory Status Epilepticus?

When status epilepticus (SE) remains refractory to appropriate therapy, it is associated with high mortality and with substantial morbidity in survivors. Many outcome predictors such as age, seizure type, level of consciousness before treatment, and mostly, etiology, are well-established. A longer duration of SE is often associated with worse outcome, but duration may lose its prognostic value after several hours. Several terms and definitions have been used to describe prolonged, refractory SE, including "malignant SE," "prolonged" SE, and more recently, "super refractory" SE, defined as "SE that has continued or recurred despite 24 hours of general anesthesia (or coma-inducing anticonvulsants)." There are few data available regarding the outcome of prolonged refractory SE, and even fewer for SE remaining refractory to anesthetic drugs. This article reviews reports of outcome after prolonged, refractory, and "super refractory" SE. Most information detailing the clinical outcome of patients surviving these severe illnesses, in which seizures can persist for days or weeks (and especially those concerning "super-refractory" SE) come from case reports and retrospective cohort studies. In many series, prolonged, refractory SE has a mortality of 30% to 50%, and several studies indicate that most survivors have a substantial decline in functional status. Nevertheless, several reports demonstrate that good functional outcome is possible even after several days of SE and coma induction. Treatment of refractory SE should not be withdrawn from younger patients without structural brain damage at presentation solely because of the duration of SE.

De novo undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma arising from a renal allograft: A case report

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma arising from a renal graft. Transplantectomy was performed in a 47-year old woman presenting to the emergency room because of general weakness. Preoperative workup revealed a 5.5 cm malignant mass of the graft which was not present on routine ultrasound performed 12 months earlier. Following transplantectomy, local recurrence developed despite complete tumor resection and interruption of immunosuppression. Despite radiation therapy, the outcome was ultimately fatal. Genetic analysis revealed that the tumor had arisen from donor tissue. Annual ultrasound surveillance might not be enough effective to screen for these rare high grade neoplasms.

Incidence and Outcome of Group B Streptococcal Sepsis in Infants in Switzerland.

The incidence and outcome of group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis were assessed prospectively between September 2011 and February 2015 in all tertiary care pediatric hospitals of Switzerland. We describe a low incidence of GBS early-onset sepsis (0.12/1000 livebirths) and a predominance of GBS late-onset sepsis (0.36/1000 livebirths), a pattern that has not been reported in other countries.

« En fonction de la prise de Méthadone® maternelle peut-on prévoir l'outcome et l'adaptation néonatale, ainsi que la survenue d'un sevrage néonatal, sa durée et le développement à court terme de l'enfant ? »

Objectif : Abstract Le but de cette étude consiste à étudier un éventuel lien entre le dosage du traitement de substitution par la Méthadone® pendant la grossesse et les issues obstétricales (rupture prématurée des membranes, menace d'accouchement prématuré), ainsi que néonatales (telles que le retard de croissance intrautérin, l'adaptation néonatale, le sevrage néonatal aux opiacés et l'hypoglycémie néonatale). Nous évaluerons également le développement psychomoteur de l'enfant à court terme (jusqu'à 18 mois de vie) via l'échelle de Griffiths. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective sur 50 femmes enceintes sous Méthadone® suivies au CHUV et ayant accouché entre les années 2000 et 2010, ainsi que sur leurs enfants suivis par l'Unité du Développement du CHUV et évalués moyennant l'échelle du développement psychomoteur appelée Griffiths (il s'agit de 26 enfants entre 6-9 mois et 20 entre 18-19 mois). Pour ce faire, nous avons parcouru les différentes archives du CHUV (informatiques et papiers) dans un premier temps. Ces données ont été ensuite saisies dans un tableau Excel avant d'être analysées via STATA. Résumé des résultats : En fonction du dosage de la Méthadone®, 27% (dose plus faible) à 47 % (dose plus élevée) des femmes de notre collectif accouchent prématurément (p = 0.139). 48 % de leurs nouveau-nés présentent un retard de croissance intra-utérin (RCIU). Ce risque est d'autant plus élevé que la Méthadone est faiblement dosée (p = 0.073). Inversement au RCIU, le risque d'hypoglycémie néonatale croît avec la dose maternelle de Méthadone® (p = 0.148). La survenue du syndrome de sevrage néonatal aux opiacés ainsi que sa durée sont significativement plus importantes lorsque le dosage maternel de Méthadone est élevé (p = 0.022 ; p = 0.0118) ou lors de la prise concomitante de benzodiazépines (p = 0.004 ; p = 0.0129). La prise d'autres substances illicites a elle aussi tendance à prolonger le sevrage (p = 0.065). Entre 6-9 mois de vie, il y a plus de microcéphalie (périmètre crânien inférieur au P10) lorsque les enfants reçoivent une dose plus faible in utéro (p = 0.005). Le développement psychomoteur est quant à lui plus favorable lorsque le traitement de substitution est fortement dosé (p = 0.039) et que l'enfant vit chez sa mère biologique (p = 0.050) ou bénéficie d'un contact maternel régulier (p = 0.008). L'effet du dosage de la Méthadone® (p = 0.683) et du lieu de vie (p = 0.211) sur le développement psychomoteur ont néanmoins tendance à s'estomper entre 18-19 mois de vie. Conclusions : Bien qu'un traitement de substitution par la Méthadone hautement dosé augmente la survenue et la durée du syndrome de sevrage néonatal aux opiacés, il y a maintenant des indices pour un meilleur outcome de l'enfant lorsque la substitution est importante (moins de RCIU, de microcéphalie et un développement psychomoteur plus favorable). A propos de l'issue néonatale, tous les enfants nés de mères toxicodépendantes semblent être à risque d'hypoglycémie néonatale. Implications pratiques : Il serait désormais préférable d'augmenter les doses de substitution des futures mères toxicomanes d'autant plus lorsque celles-ci le réclament et tous leurs enfants devraient bénéficier d'une alimentation précoce et de contrôles glycémiques, même s'ils sont eutrophiques.

The effect of the birth hospital and the time of birth on the outcome of Finnish very preterm infants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the birth hospital and the time of birth on mortality and the long-term outcome of Finnish very low birth weight (VLBW) or very low gestational age (VLGA) infants. This study included all Finnish VLBW/VLGA infants born at <32 gestational weeks or with a birth weight of ≤1500g, and controls born full-term and healthy. In the first part of the study, the mortality of VLBW/VLGA infants born in 2000–2003 was studied. The second part of the study consisted of a five-year follow-up of VLBW/VLGA infants born in 2001–2002. The study was performed using data from parental questionnaires and several registers. The one-year mortality rate was 11% for live-born VLBW/VLGA infants, 22% for live-born and stillborn VLBW/VLGA infants, and 0% for the controls. In live-born and in all (including stillbirths) VLBW/VLGA infants, the adjusted mortality was lower among those born in level III hospitals compared with level II hospitals. Mortality rates of live-born VLBW/VLGA infants differed according to the university hospital district where the birth hospital was located, but there were no differences in mortality between the districts when stillborn infants were included. There was a trend towards lower mortality rates in VLBW/VLGA infants born during office hours compared with those born outside office hours (night time, weekends, and public holidays). When stillborn infants were included, this difference according to the time of birth was significant. Among five-year-old VLBW/VLGA children, morbidity, use of health care resources, and problems in behaviour and development were more common in comparison with the controls. The health-related quality of life of the surviving VLBW/VLGA children was good but, statistically, it was significantly lower than among the controls. The median and the mean number of quality-adjusted life-years were 4.6 and 3.6 out of a maximum five years for all VLBW/VLGA children. For the controls, the median was 4.8 and the mean was 4.9. Morbidity rates, the use of health care resources, and the mean quality-adjusted life-years differed for VLBW/VLGA children according to the university hospital district of birth. However, the time of birth, the birth hospital level or university hospital district were not associated with the health-related quality of life, nor with behavioural and developmental scores of the survivors at the age of five years. In conclusion, the decreased mortality in level III hospitals was not gained at the expense of long-term problems. The results indicate that VLBW/VLGA deliveries should be centralized to level III hospitals and the regional differences in the treatment practices should further be clarified. A long-term follow-up on the outcome of VLBW/VLGA infants is important in order to recognize the critical periods of care and to optimise the care. In the future, quality-adjusted life-years can be used as a uniform measure for comparing the effectiveness of care between VLBW/VLGA infants and different patient groups