Evaluation of anticoagulant therapy management in a teaching hospital in Tunisia: information and education for vitamin k antagonist newly treated patients need to be improved.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the level of Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy knowledge among VKA newly treated patients.

Methods: Questionnaire-based interviews were administered in a university hospital to VKA newly treated patients covering both cognitive (i.e.

Management of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Results of the FAST-MI Tunisia Registry.

Background: The FAST-MI Tunisia registry was set up by the Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics, management and hospital outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Data for 459 consecutive patients (mean age 60.8 years; 88.

Edinburgh questionnaire in the screening for peripheral artery disease in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: to analyze Edinburgh questionnaire (EQ) screening performance for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Cross sectional study including 150 type 2 diabetic patients without PAD history. All patients responded to EQ and had peripheral pulse checkup and measurement of the ankle/brachial index (ABI).

Response to clopidogrel and of the cytochrome CYP2C19 gene polymorphism.

Introduction: Clopidogrel (clopi) is a prodrug widely prescribed in the management of coronary artery disease and requires the intervention of hepatic cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) for its activation. However, there is interindividual variability in response to clopi despite the use of recommended doses. Thus, the studies have highlighted the effect of the CYP2C19 gene polymorphism or Cyp2C19 gene on the response to clopi and particularly Cyp2C19 * 2 which may be associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events or MACE.

Design and Rationale of the National Tunisian Registry of Atrial Fibrillation: Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter Trial.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important health problem in Tunisia. A significant change in the epidemiological pattern of heart disease has been seen in the last 3 decades; however, no large prospective multicenter trial reflecting national data has been published so far. Robust data on the contemporary epidemiological profile and management of AF patients in Tunisia are limited.

[Educational and information needs of patients under vitamin K antagonist therapy].

Background: Adverse events related to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) represent a major public health problem. Informative tools and educative program contributes to the reduction of iatrogenic risk. The purpose of our study is to assess representations and information needs of patients under VKA therapy in order to develop a suitable therapeutic education program.

Bleeding and asymptomatic overdose in patients under Vitamin K antagonist therapy: Frequency and risk factors.

Background: Vitamin K antagonists are widely used in the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic disease. However, these drugs can cause serious side effects, especially bleeding. This study aims to evaluate frequency and risk factors of both bleeding and asymptomatic overdose in North African patients undergoing Vitamin K antagonist therapy.

MHDA-Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes for detecting non-aromatic VOCs.

The chemical modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with a long chain mercapto acid is reported as a way to improve sensitivity and response time of gas sensors for detecting alcohols, acetone and toxic gases such as DMMP. We have developed sensors employing MWCNTs decorated with gold nanoparticles and modified with a 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA) monolayer. Morphological and compositional analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to characterize the gold nanoparticles and to check the bonding of the thiol monolayer.

[Management of patients treated for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Tunisia: Preliminary results of FAST-MI Tunisia Registry from Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery].

Unlabelled: FAST-MI Tunisian registry was initiated by the Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardio-vascular Surgery to assess characteristics, management, and hospital outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We prospectively collected data from 203 consecutive patients (mean age 60.3 years, 79.

Pt- and Pd-decorated MWCNTs for vapour and gas detection at room temperature.

Here we report on the gas sensing properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with sputtered Pt or Pd nanoparticles. Sputtering allows for an oxygen plasma treatment that removes amorphous carbon from the surface of the carbon nanotubes and creates oxygenated surface defects in which metal nanoparticles nucleate within a few minutes. The decoration with the 2 nm Pt or the 3 nm Pd nanoparticles is very homogeneous.

[Relation entre la température ambiante, l'humidité et la mort subite cardiaque au nord de la Tunisie].

Background: Several studies have suggested a relationship between weather parameters and the occurrence of sudden cardiac death.

Aim: The aim of this work was to study the impact of changes in temperature and humidity level on the occurrence of sudden cardiac death in the north of Tunisia.

Methods: it's an autopsic study that included all victims of sudden cardiac death occurring in northern Tunisia between October 2010 and September 2012.

Sudden death due to pulmonary embolism in north Tunisia: 37 cases study.

Aim: To determine frequency of pulmonary embolism as the cause of sudden death and to study clinical, epidemiological characteristics and risk factors.

Methods: Prospective study of cases of sudden death secondary to pulmonary embolism, whose autopsy was performed in the forensic department of Tunis, between October 2009 and of September, 2011.

Results: During study period, 37 cases of pulmonary embolism were recorded.

[Weekly variation of sudden cardiac death in northen Tunisia].

Background: The sudden cardiac death remains a major public health problem. Several studies have reported weekly variation of this dramatic event.

Aim: The aim of this work is to determine the day-of-week variability in sudden cardiac death in northen Tunisia.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnea in recruitment of coronary collaterality during inaugural acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may lead to myocardial preconditioning by increasing coronary collateral vessel recruitment in patients with acute coronary occlusion.

Aim: To determine the relationship between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and coronary collaterality during acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: This study prospectively included 71 patients with an inaugural myocardial infarction who had undergone a coronary angiography within 24h of onset.

[Diagnostic accuracy of Epworth sleepiness scale in the acute phase of myocardial infarction].

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is underdiagnosed in cardiologist daily practice, especially in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Its diagnosis is based on a polysomnography study. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) stands as a simple and rapid means to select patients for the sleep investigation.

[Diurnal, weekly and seasonal variation of sudden cardiac death in northern Tunisia].

Background: Several studies have reported a circadian variation in the occurrence of sudden cardiac death.

Aim: To analyze the circadian, weekly and seasonal variations of sudden cardiac death occurring in northern Tunisia.

Methods: We prospectively collected epidemiological and autopsic data of victims of sudden cardiac death occurring in the northern governorates of Tunisia between October 2010 and September 2012.

[Prevalence of non-conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Tunisian diabetics].

Background: The cardiovascular risk appears very early in the history of diabetes mellitus and is related not only to hyperglycemia but mainly to the other risk factors associated to diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of non-conventional cardiovascular risk factors in a Tunisian diabetic population.

Patients And Methods: The prospective study enrolled 120 type 2 diabetic patients recently diagnosed and 60 healthy people, sex and age matched.

[Sudden death during sport activity in Tunisia: autopsy study in 32 cases].

Purpose: To develop profile of the victims and to study circumstances, causes of death and autopsy findings.

Methods: Retrospective study of cases of sudden death in sport activity whose autopsy was performed in forensic department of Tunis, between January 2005 and December 2009.

Results: During study period, 32 cases of SD in sport activity were recorded.

Impedance biosensing using phages for bacteria detection: generation of dual signals as the clue for in-chip assay confirmation.

In the present work, we compare the use of antibodies (Ab) and phages as bioreceptors for bacteria biosensing by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). With this aim, both biocomponents have been immobilised in parallel onto interdigitated gold microelectrodes. The produced surfaces have been characterised by EIS and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy and have been applied to bacteria detection.