The Ability of Critical Care Physicians to Identify Patient-Ventilator Asynchrony Using Waveform Analysis: A National Survey.

Background: Improved patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) identification using waveform analysis by critical care physicians (CCPs) may improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess the ability of CCPs to identify different types of PVAs using waveform analysis as well as factors related to this ability.

Methods: We surveyed 12 university-affiliated medical ICUs (MICUs) in Tunisia.

IgA is the predominant isotype of anti-β2 glycoprotein I in patients with COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: The frequency and titers of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) were determined in sera of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, IgM aCL, and aβ2GPI were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Epidemiology and burden of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective sentinel surveillance study in a Tunisian Medical ICU, 2022/2023.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses pose significant global health challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further strained healthcare systems. As the focus shifts from the pandemic to other respiratory infections, assessing the epidemiology and burden of SARI is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Aim: to understand the impact of the post-pandemic period on the epidemiology of SARI cases, clinical outcomes, and healthcare resource utilization in Tunisia.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: An alarming number of COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases, have developed acute kidney injury (AKI).

Aim: The study aimed to assess the frequency, risk factors, and impact of AKI on mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study conducted in the MICU.

Resource utilization and preparedness within the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisian medical intensive care units: A nationwide retrospective multicentre observational study.

Background: The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic represents the most recent global healthcare crisis. While all healthcare systems suffered facing the immense burden of critically-ill COVID-19 patients, the levels of preparedness and adaptability differed highly between countries.

Aim: to describe resource mobilization throughout the COVID-19 waves in Tunisian University Medical Intensive Care Units (MICUs) and to identify discrepancies in preparedness between the provided and required resource.

Management of patients with cardiovascular diseases during Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, over one billion Muslims observe a water and food fast from sunrise to sunset. The practice of this religious duty causes marked changes in eating and sleeping habits. With the increasing incidence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, the number of patients with CV pathologies who wish to fast is increasing worldwide, and in Tunisia, which is ranked as a high CV risk country.

Stress, anxiety, and depression among students at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse (Tunisia).

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of anxious and depressive symptoms and to determine their associated factors in a population of students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse (Tunisia).

Methods: this is a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse over the period from 09/15/2017 to 03/15/2018. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to the students in the guided teaching rooms.

Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Following Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines: Two Case Reports and a Short Literature Review.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in December 2019, causing millions of deaths all over the world, and the lack of specific treatment for severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have led to the development of vaccines in record time, increasing the risk of vaccine safety issues. Recently, several cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination. TTP is a rare disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and ischemic end-organ lesions.

North-African doctors as second victims of medical errors: a cross sectional survey.

Introduction: Physicians involved in medical errors (MEs) can experience loss of self-esteem and negative psychological experiences. They are called "second victims" of the ME.

Aims: To i) describe the profile, the types and the severity of MEs, and ii) explore the psychological impact on "second victims" to better understand how they cope.

Compared efficacy and tolerance of the neuromuscular blockade induced by brand-name (Nimbex®) and generic (Cisatrex®) of cisatracurium in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: a crossover double-blind randomized study.

Introduction: use of generic drugs is common. However, there is still concern among patients and physicians that brand name drugs are more efficient. The aim of the study was to compare efficacy and tolerance between two forms of cisatracurium: brand name versus generic name.

Rethinking aerosol-generating procedures in COVID-19.

Dealing with COVID-19 pandemic raised several issues regarding aerosol generating procedures such High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV). Adequately managing patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, while, ensuring caregivers' safety is of utmost importance. Recommendations regarding aerosol generating procedures are, certainly, required to guide therapeutic attitudes in this context.

Very severe COVID-19 in the critically ill in Tunisia.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging health threat outbreak. It may cause severe viral pneumonia with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome requiring critical care. Aim: to describe clinical features and outcomes of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Artery of Percheron Stroke as an Unusual Cause of Hypersomnia: A Case Series and a Short Literature Review.

The thalamus and the mesencephalon have a complex blood supply. The artery of Percheron (AOP) is a rare anatomical variant. Occlusion of this artery may lead to bithalamic stroke with or without midbrain involvement.

A Tunisian version of the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU): translation and validation.

Background: Delirium is common in critically ill patients and it is associated with poor outcomes. In Tunisia, however, it is still underdiagnosed as there is no validated screening tool. The aim of this study was to translate and to validate a Tunisian version of the CAM-ICU.