Role of a Pediatric Cardiologist in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected patients across all age groups, with a wide range of illness severity from asymptomatic carriers to severe multi-organ dysfunction and death. Although early reports have shown that younger age groups experience less severe disease than older adults, our understanding of this phenomenon is in continuous evolution. Recently, a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), with active or recent COVID-19 infection, has been increasingly reported. Children with MIS-C may demonstrate signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease, but also have some distinct differences. These children have more frequent and severe gastrointestinal symptoms and are more likely to present with a shock-like presentation. Moreover, they often present with cardiovascular involvement including myocardial dysfunction, valvulitis, and coronary artery dilation or aneurysms. Here, we present a review of the literature and summary of our current understanding of cardiovascular involvement in children with COVID-19 or MIS-C and identifying the role of a pediatric cardiologist in caring for these patients.

Influence of cirrhosis on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics

AIMS

Lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, is cleared from the systemic circulation mainly by glucuronidation. The possibility of changes in the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine in plasma owing to hepatic dysfunction has been evaluated.

METHODS

Thirty-six subjects, including 24 patients with various degrees of liver cirrhosis and 12 healthy volunteers received a single 100 mg dose of lamotrgine. Blood samples were taken for 7 days in all subjects, except nine with severe cirrhosis, who had a 29 day blood sampling period.

RESULTS

The pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine were comparable between the patients with moderate cirrhosis (corresponding to Child-Pugh grade A) and the healthy subjects. Plasma oral clearance mean ratios (90% confidence interval) in patients with severe cirrhosis without or with ascites (corresponding, respectively, to Child-Pugh grade B and C) to healthy subjects were, respectively, 60% (44%, 83%) and 36% (25%, 52%). Plasma half-life mean ratios (90% confidence interval) in these two patient groups to healthy subjects were, respectively, 204% (149%, 278%) and 287% (202%, 408%).

CONCLUSIONS

Lamotrigine administered as a single oral dose of 100 mg was well tolerated in all groups. Initial, escalation and maintenance doses should generally be reduced by approximately 50 or 75% in patients with Child-Pugh Grade B or C cirrhosis. Escalation and maintenance doses should be adjusted according to clinical response.

[Evaluation of nursing care during treatment of viral hepatitis C by interferon]

OBJECTIVE

Interferon alpha treatment requires parenteral administration and some patients receive injections from nurses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nursing care during ambulatory treatment of hepatitis C by interferon alpha.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent by mail to all nurses who practice ambulatory care in the Val de Marne region (n =545).

RESULTS

One hundred fourteen questionnaires were returned (return rate: 20%). Among these nurses, only 42 (37%) were caring for at least 1 patient for the treatment of hepatitis C by interferon. In the 16 months before the survey, these 42 nurses had cared for 135 patients. The nurses cared for the patients throughout the entire treatment in 81% and only to teach them in 19% of cases. The time spent for each injection was 12 min 48 sec, 2 min 42 sec for the injection itself, 3 min 54 sec to answer to patient's questions, 3 min 30 sec for psychological support, and 2 min 48 sec for unspecific time. In relation to hepatitis C and interferon treatment, 74% and 64% of the nurses felt that patients asked questions they did not ask their physician. Seventy seven of the nurses felt they were did not have enough training to answer the questions. Psychological support for the patient was noted as important or very important by 38 % of nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of nurses during interferon treatment is not limited to injecting the drug. Advice and psychological support takes up most of the time spent with patients. Specific training and better collaboration with the physician who prescribes the treatment are needed.

[Screening of patients at risk for hepatitis C virus infection in general medicine]

OBJECTIVES

The French consensus conference recommended targeted screening for hepatitis C virus infection in patients with a past history of intravenous drug use or transfusion of blood products before 1991. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and results of targeted screening by general practitioners.

METHODS

For 2 weeks, 58 general practitioners systematically asked all their patients about a past (or current) history of intravenous drug use or transfusion of blood products before 1991. In patients who responded affirmatively, hepatitis C virus screening was proposed if it had not been performed previously.

RESULTS

8,292 patients were included. Blood transfusion and intravenous drug use were present in 383 (4.6%) and 116 (1.4%) patients respectively. Positive hepatitis C virus serology had been identified before the study, in 16 and 63 patients in these groups respectively. Tests were performed in 77% and 50% of patients with a history of blood transfusion and intravenous drug use. Systematic screening showed a positive hepatitis C virus serology in 7 and 4 patients with a history of blood transfusion and intravenous drug use (representing 2% and 15% of the tests performed during the study). Globally, 79 (88%) of the 90 patients with a positive serology had been identified before this systematic screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic targeted screening of hepatitis C virus infection only results in a diagnosis in a few cases. In the patients who consulted a general practitioner, 70% and 94% of cases of hepatitis C in patients with a history of blood transfusion or intravenous drug use respectively, were known before systematic screening.

Randomized comparative multicenter study of hydroxyethyl starch versus albumin as a plasma expander in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites treated with paracentesis

OBJECTIVE

Large-volume paracentesis associated with plasma volume expansion with albumin is an effective, safe, but costly therapy for ascites in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the use of a synthetic plasma expander, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), with that of albumin.

DESIGN

Sixty cirrhotic patients with ascites were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to be infused with either albumin (8 g/l of ascites removed, n = 33) or HES (200 ml/l of ascites removed, n = 27). None of the patients was treated with diuretics or had renal impairment or hyponatremia at entry. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained before and 1, 3 and 15 days after treatment.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between the two groups at entry into the study. None of the patients developed renal impairment during the trial. One patient (HES group) presented with hyponatremia. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor and aldosterone levels did not differ between the two groups at baseline or at 1 and 3 days after paracentesis. The volume of ascites removed did not differ between the albumin (7.9 +/- 4.4 l) and HES (6.9 +/- 5.3 l) groups. However, there was a significant difference in weight loss between the albumin and HES groups (7.9 +/- 5.2 kg vs 4.7 +/- 3.4 kg; p = 0.01). Clinical and laboratory parameters indicated that HES was well tolerated except for hypoalbuminemia.

CONCLUSION

HES is well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis. There is no difference between HES and albumin in the prevention of complications related to large-volume paracentesis. The lesser degree of weight loss observed with HES needs further study.

Biliary symptoms and complications more than 8 years after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although long-term results of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) have been poorly estimated, extended indications of ES have been proposed, especially in young patients. The aim of this study was to assess late biliary complications of ES.

METHODS

Between 1981 and 1986, 169 patients younger than age 70 (55+/-11.8 years; range, 24-70 years; male-female sex ration, 0.55) underwent ES for choledocholithiasis. One hundred fifteen patients (68%) underwent cholecystectomy. Long-term data were obtained retrospectively from the patients and general practitioners.

RESULTS

Information was obtained for 156 patients, 2 of whom died within 1 month (one ES-related death). The mean follow-up for 154 patients was 9.6+/-3.3 years (range 8-13 years); 138 patients had no biliary symptoms. During follow-up, 16 patients experienced biliary symptoms; 2 of these patients underwent elective cholecystectomy, 3 had malignant strictures, 1 had a complicated cirrhosis, and 1 had a benign stricture related to the previous cholecystectomy. Nine patients developed potentially ES-related biliary symptoms. Second endoscopic exploration showed papillary stenosis in 3 patients (with stones in 2 patients) and recurrent bile duct stones in 3 others. Two patients had sine materia cholangitis, and 1 patient developed liver abscesses.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term ES-related complications seem to be rare, ES could reasonably be included in management strategies of choledocholithiasis, even in young patients.

[Viral hepatitis A with prolonged course in adults]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and virological characteristics of patients with type A viral hepatitis and a protracted course.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with hepatitis A virus and elevated serum ALT levels for more than 6 months were studied. Patients were tested for hepatitis C and E virus using conserved serums.

RESULTS

A biological relapse was defined by a decrease of the serum ALT levels > or = 50% followed by a > or = 50% increase in the minimal value. Biological relapses occurred in all patients. The median time between the onset of the disease and the first relapse was 87 days. During relapse, jaundice and ascites were present in five and one patients, respectively. All patients recovered. Serum aminotransferase activities returned to the normal range in a median of 230 days. None of the 17 tested patients had hepatitis C virus antibodies. Sixteen patients were tested for hepatitis E virus antibodies; 8 were positive for IgG and one for IgM. Sixteen control patients with acute hepatitis A of short duration, matched for date and country of contamination, were also tested for antibodies to hepatitis E virus; 11 were positive for IgG and none for IgM.

CONCLUSION

A protracted course of type A viral hepatitis is characterised by relapses with or without symptoms. The high frequency of a positive test for hepatitis E IgG associated with a negative test for IgM in patients with and without a protracted course does not suggest that hepatitis E virus plays a role in patients with a protracted course. These positive results might be due to either false positive results or to past contamination.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Nonsurgical alternatives in biliary diseases have not been studied in large series of patients with cirrhosis. Our aim was to determine the indications and results of endoscopic treatment in this subset of patients.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients (36 men, 16 women-Child-Pugh Class A, 18; B, 22; C, 12) aged 63 +/- 18 years underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) between 1988 and 1993. Antibiotic prophylaxis was routinely carried out and coagulopathy was corrected before ES when required. The data were collected retrospectively up to 30 days after ES.

RESULTS

ES succeeded in 98% of the patients (12 cases of needle-knife papillotomy). Twenty-nine patients (55.7%) had choledocholithiasis, 18 had biliary strictures (12 malignant), and 5 had pancreatic or other biliary diseases. Five days after ES, morbidity was 13.5% and mortality was 7.7%. At 1 month, morbidity was 22.9% and mortality 12.5%. Only endoscopic procedures and Ineffective drainage were seen to be significant risk factors or morbidity. The results of the subgroup of cirrhotic patients with choledocholithiasis (n = 29) were compared with those of matched noncirrhotic patients (n = 58). The cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients treated for choledocholithiasis showed similar results for stone clearance, morbidity, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

ES is a safe and effective procedure for treating choledocholithiasis in cirrhotic patients. ES can therefore be considered as an alternative to surgery in Child class A and B patients and must be preferred for Child class C patients with life-threatening biliary complications.

AANA journal course: update for nurse anesthetists--carbon monoxide poisoning: role of the anesthesia machine's carbon dioxide absorption system

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that, when inhaled, is toxic to humans. In 1965, Middleton reported the detection of carbon monoxide in the closed anesthetic circuits of patients undergoing surgery. In recent years, anesthesia providers from at least four American hospitals have reported instances of intraoperative carbon monoxide poisoning in anesthetized patients undergoing surgery. Although no deaths were associated with these incidents, carboxyhemoglobin levels ranged from 8.5% to 32%. In virtually all reported cases, the incidents occurred in surgical suites that had not been used for at least 2 days. This facet of the phenomenon advanced the theory that a slow chemical reaction, probably involving soda lime or barium hydroxide lime, was responsible for the liberation of carbon monoxide within the anesthesia circuit. Recent research has attributed this generation of carbon monoxide to the degradation of volatile anesthetic agents by desiccated carbon dioxide absorbents. Although carbon monoxide poisoning of patients undergoing anesthesia with volatile anesthetics is probably a rare occurrence, it is a potential problem for all anesthesia providers.

Bile levels of carcino-embryonic antigen in patients with hepatopancreatobiliary disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of biliary carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign hepatopancreatobiliary disease.

PATIENTS

One hundred patients were prospectively studied. Benign diseases were present in 39% of the patients while 61% had malignant diseases.

METHODS

Samples of serum were taken from all patients just before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and samples of biliary CEA were obtained during ERCP.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of serum CEA and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in detecting malignancy were 50% and 92%, respectively, while the respective specificities were 95% and 72%. The mean biliary CEA level of the benign group was significantly different from that of the malignant group (35.7 +/- 8.7 ng/ml vs 268 +/- 85.5 ng/ml), but there was considerable overlap between the two groups. With a cut-off level of 20 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 64% respectively. The mean bilirubinaemia value was significantly higher in malignant disease than in benign disease (57.4 +/- 13.9 mumol/l vs 235 +/- 19.8 mumol/l). Multidimensional analysis indicated that only bilirubinaemia (P < 109-3)) was independently predictive of malignant disease.

CONCLUSION

Biliary CEA assessment seems useless in distinguished between benign and malignant causes of cholestasis.

Cholangiographic features in fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. Radiological-pathological correlation

The cholangiographic features of intrahepatic bile ducts associated with cirrhosis or fibrosis are not well known. In order to achieve a radiological-pathological correlation, we studied nine livers with fibrosis or cirrhosis excised at autopsy. Cholangiograms were obtained within 24 hr after death from the nonfixed liver and multiple tissues samples were taken for histologic examination. Radiological data were interpreted by two independent investigators blinded to the clinical and histological findings. Cirrhosis (alcoholic in 4, posthepatitis in two) was observed in six livers, fibrosis (alcoholic in 2, posthepatitis in one) in three. No liver with fibrosis had cholangiographic abnormalities. In contrast, cholangiography of all livers with cirrhosis was abnormal. Abnormalities were a diminished arborization, a decrease of the distal opacification, an irregularity of caliber, and a tortuous course of the bile ducts. Histological study showed that the irregular and tortuous course were due to compression of the bile ducts by regenerative nodules. Furthermore, a thick fibrosis was organized around the bile ducts. In conclusion, fibrosis alone was not associated with cholangiographic abnormalities. In cirrhotic livers, intrahepatic bile ducts showed an irregular and tortuous course, a diminished arborization and a decrease of the distal opacification. These abnormalities were secondary to the presence of regenerative nodules and fibrosis organized around the bile ducts.

[Antral gastritis in chronic alcoholism. Role of cirrhosis and Helicobacter pylori]

OBJECTIVES

Antral gastritis is frequent in alcoholics. The role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of gastritis in these patients is not well known. The aim of our study was to study the role of H. pylori and cirrhosis in the pathogenesis of antral gastritis in alcoholic patients.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients were included in the study. All underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy with antral biopsies, independently of the presence of abdominal pain, and had serological examination for H. pylori antibodies.

RESULTS

Cirrhosis and gastritis were present in 50 and 40 patients respectively, H. pylori serological assay and histological identification of the bacterium were positive in 35 (44%) and 19 (24%) patients respectively. Discrepancy between the 2 tests were observed more frequently in cirrhotic patients. A positive serology with a negative histologic examination for H. pylori was present for 18 cirrhotic and 4 noncirrhotic patients (p < 0.05). A gastritis without evidence of H. pylori was more frequent in cirrhotic than in noncirrhotic patients. H. pylori was histologically present in 11 of 29 cirrhotic patients and in 8 of the 11 noncirrhotic patients with a gastritis (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Discrepancies between histological examination and H. pylori serology in patients with cirrhosis might be due to the inhospitable environment for H. pylori in case of portal hypertension; the positive serology could be in relation with a past infection.

Host and viral characteristics affecting the response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE

To define parameters determined before and after 4 weeks of interferon therapy (3 MU three times per week for 24 weeks) which could be reliable predictors of a response to therapy.

PATIENTS

Thirty-four patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were investigated prospectively.

METHODS

A complete response was defined as the normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) at the end of treatment. The genotype of HCV was determined and the level of HCV-RNA was quantitated both before and after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks, 16 out of 20 responders [95% confidence interval (CI) 54-94%] and two out of 14 non-responders (95% CI 2-44%) normalized their ALT levels (P = 0.0002). The prevalence of genotype 1b was significantly (P < 0.04) higher among non-responders (eight out of 10; 95% CI 44-92%) than in responders (four out of 18; 95% CI 4-40%). Before treatment, the viraemia determined by branched DNA was significantly lower in responders than in non-responders (46.4 versus 116 x 10(5) eq virus/ml). After 4 weeks of treatment, the level of viraemia in responders was still significantly lower than that in non-responders (22.8 versus 66 x 10(5) eq virus/ml). In responders, a significant decrease in the level of viraemia was observed after 4 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

In a stepwise regression analysis only age and the normalization of ALT levels after 4 weeks of treatment were predictive of response to interferon at the end of treatment.

Survival after a first episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Prognosis of potential candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation

To determine the potential role of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in cirrhotic patients surviving a first episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), medical records of 79 patients presenting with a first episode of SBP were reviewed. Of these patients, 37 were selected as potential candidates for OLT using the following criteria: absence of hepatocellular carcinoma; no severe organ failure other than the liver; age < or = 66 years; and survival after SBP > 60 days. Survival time was calculated from the day of SBP diagnosis. Prognostic value of clinical, biological and bacteriological data recorded at the time of SBP was determined using univariate and multivariate analysis (Cox's regression model). Survival rate of the potential candidates for OLT at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years was 94, 46 and 30% respectively. Serum creatinine value (P = 0.001) and Pugh score (P = 0.005) were independently correlated with death. The 1 year survival rate was 80% for the 11 patients with a Pugh score < 10, and 26% for the 26 patients with a Pugh score > or = 10. Our results suggest that after SBP, OLT should be considered in patients with severe liver disease. Survival of patients with a moderate liver disease (i.e. Pugh score < 10) might be relatively high.

A profile of symptomatic patients with silicone breast implants: a Sjögrens-like syndrome

Exposure of breast tissue to silicone has been associated with autoimmune diseases in the medical literature since the 1960's. Japanese women injected with raw silicone had features of a collagen vascular disease but did not meet criteria for a specific diagnosis. Subsequently, we have seen women with silicone breast implants that have similar problems. We performed a prospective noncontrolled study on women with silicone breast implants. Results from the first 50 consecutive women revealed the most prominent complaints in this group were fatigue (89%), generalized stiffness (75%), poor sleep (71%), and arthralgias (78%). Other problems included Raynaud's phenomenon, alopecia, adenopathy, night sweats, and frequent sore throats. Unexpectedly, half of these women complained of dry eyes and dry mouths. Positive antinuclear antibodies and or rheumatoid factors were discovered in 38% of patients although the anti-SSA antibody was found in only one patient and anti-SSB in none. Labial salivary gland biopsies in 5 cases showed mononuclear cell infiltrates compatible with Sjögren's syndrome in 4. The infiltrating cells were predominantly CD68 positive monocyte/macrophages, which is different from what is found in Sjögren's syndrome. These findings may indicate the presence of a unique syndrome associated with silicone implants that is characterized by musculoskeletal pain and autoimmune features.

[Hepatic toxicity of antitubercular agents. Role of different drugs. 199 cases]

One hundred and ninety-nine cases of hepatic injury related to antituberculous treatment were analysed in order to assess the role played by each drug and to look for predisposing factors. This is a retrospective study of 169 cases reported in the literature and 30 cases reported to the regional pharmacovigilance centre of Paris Saint-Antoine. The mortality rate was related to the dose of isoniazid: it was 43 percent with a daily dose higher than 300 mg, and 9 percent with a daily dose of 300 mg or less (P < 0.001). Hepatic injury appeared significantly earlier in the case of rifampicin combination: 11 weeks without rifampicin and 2 weeks with rifampicin (P < 0.01). The role of pyrazinamide was difficult to determine because isoniazid and pyrazinamide were always used in combination. The influence of a preexisting liver disease could not be evaluated because of the small number of cases reported (8 cases). Alcoholism did not increase the mortality rate. Our results confirm the dose-dependent toxicity of isoniazid. Because of the short time elapsed before the apparent onset of hepatitis observed with the rifampicin combination, a close supervision of the patients should be exerted during the first weeks of treatment.