Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following scorpion envenomation: a literature review.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome is comparable to microvascular acute coronary syndrome. It may partly share the same pathophysiology debated during scorpion envenomation (SE), with an adrenergic storm, without myocardial infarction due to the absence of coronary artery stenosis. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can help to better understand the pathophysiology of cardiac involvement during scorpion envenomation.

Post-traumatic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in an intensive care unit: A case series of ten patients.

Post-traumatic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is one of the several causes of cerebral venous thrombosis, but its early diagnosis and management are still difficult in this traumatic context. Our objective is to describe clinical and radiological presentations and to report specific management and outcomes of this rare post-traumatic complication. We reported in this manuscript a case series of 10 patients hospitalized in the intensive care department with post-traumatic cerebral venous thrombosis.

Genes regulating oxidative-inflammatory response in circulating monocytes and neutrophils in septic syndrome.

Despite significant progress in the past decades, sepsis still lacks a specific treatment. Under normal conditions, leucocytes play a critical role in controlling infection and it is suggested that their activity is impaired during sepsis which contribute to the dysregulation of immune reactions. Indeed, in response to infection, several intracellular pathways are affected mainly those regulating the oxidative- inflammatory axis.

Prognostic Value of Serum Cholinesterase Activity in Severe SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients Requiring Intensive Care Unit Admission.

We evaluated the prognostic value of serum cholinesterase (SChE) levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. This is a retrospective study of severe, critically ill, adult COVID-19 patients, all of whom had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and were admitted into the ICU of a university hospital. We included all patients admitted to our ICU and whose SChE levels were explored on ICU admission and during ICU stay.

Impact of prone position on outcomes of COVID-19 patients with spontaneous breathing.

Background: In this study, we explored whether early application of the prone position (PP) can improve severe hypoxemia and respiratory failure in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with spontaneous breathing.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study of severe, critically ill adult COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. All vital parameters were recorded in real time for all patients.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Sfax, Tunisia.

Background: Africa, like the rest of the world, has been impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, only a few studies covering this subject in Africa have been published.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of critically ill adult COVID-19 patients-all of whom had a confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection- admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia).

Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Major Hypertriglyceridemia: Report of Four Cases.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a real clinical challenge. Acute pancreatitis remains a common cause of emergency department consultations and a major cause for hospitalization. Gallstones and drinking a lot of alcohol are the most frequent causes of AP.

The prevalence of healthcare-associated infection in medical intensive care units in Tunisia. Results of the multi-centre nosorea1 study.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) in medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), risk factors for these infections and identify the predominant infecting organisms.

Methods: A 1-day point-prevalence study within all medical ICUs in Tunisia, all patients occupying an ICU bed over a 48-hour period were included. Rates of HAI, resistance patterns of microbiological isolates and potential risk factors for HAI were recorded.

Benefits of the tranexamic acid in head trauma with no extracranial bleeding: a prospective follow-up of 180 patients.

Introduction: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is one of the debated therapies in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We conducted this study to evaluate the benefits of TXA in TBI on the mortality and its safety in these patients.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized open-label trial including all patients, aged at 18 years or older, hospitalized in the emergency room during a 13-month period, for TBI.

[Bilateral proximal pulmonary embolism without associated hypoxemia. Case report].

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism is a classic complication in intensive care. It is characterized by hypoxemia secondary to perturbed ventilation/perfusion ratios. We report a case of proximal and bilateral pulmonary embolism that occurred without associated hypoxemia.

Severe scorpion envenomation: pathophysiology and the role of inflammation in multiple organ failure.

Scorpion stings occur on every continent except Antarctica. The correlation between young age and severity of clinical manifestations after this envenomation is well-established. Several studies have emphasized the relevance of pro-inflammatory mediators in the pathophysiological manifestations of human scorpion envenomation.

[Posttraumatic thromboembolic complications: Incidence, risk factors, pathophysiology and prevention].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major challenge in critically ill patients. Subjects admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), in particular trauma patients, are at high-risk for both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The rate of symptomatic PE in injured patients has been reported previously ranging from 1 to 6%.

Factors Predicting Lung Contusions in Critically Ill Trauma Children: A Multivariate Analysis of 330 Cases.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify factors predicting lung contusion in trauma children.

Methods: Retrospective study conducted for a period of 8 years (January 01, 2005-December 31, 2012) in a medical surgical intensive care unit. All trauma patients younger than 15 years were included.

Post-concussive syndrome after mild head trauma: epidemiological features in Tunisia.

Background: Minor head injury is one of the major diagnoses requiring management in emergency departments (ED) but its squeals are not well studied in our country.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of post-concussive syndrome and its impacts on life activities, up to 6 months of follow-up, among patients having a minor head injury and discharged from ED.

Methods: A prospective bi-centric study including adults having a minor head trauma and consenting to be followed up to 6 months after discharge.

Value of Serum Cholinesterase Activity in the Diagnosis of Septic Shock Due to Bacterial Infections.

Background: We aimed to investigate whether serum cholinesterase (SChE) activity can be helpful for the diagnosis of septic shock and to evaluate its usefulness in comparison with procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: A prospective single-blinded study conducted in an intensive care unit of university hospital. Patients were classified as having cardiogenic shock, septic shock, or hemorrhagic shock.

Efficacy of tigecycline-colistin combination in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae endocarditis.

Here we discuss the efficacy of colistin-tigecycline combination in the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae infective endocarditis (IE). We report a case of a 67-year-old head-injured patient who developed a carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae IE.