The Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged Oral Anticoagulation for the Prevention of Thromboembolic Events in Patients Recovered From COVID-19 1 Year After Hospital Discharge: The SARCOV-19 Prospective Registry.

Our objective in this study is to know the predictors of thromboembolic events 1 year after hospitalization for severe COVID-19 and the benefit of preventive oral anticoagulation for 1 month to placebo after release. We conducted a prospective study to determine the benefit of preventive anticoagulation upon discharge from the hospital and to determine the predictive factors of thromboembolic events. We included 720 patients in the SARCOV-19 Registry, with a mean age of 62.07 (±18.11), and 61.1% male. After 1 year, 60 thromboembolic events were observed, 45 in patients on a placebo, and 15 in patients on a direct oral anticoagulant. The predictive factors determined for these events were the presence of cardiac disease, elevation of D-dimer during hospitalization, myocardial damage defined by elevation of troponins more than 6 times normal, and the use of mechanical ventilation. However, the use of preventive anticoagulation protects against thrombotic events and reduces the risk of a thromboembolic event at 1 year with a relative risk of 0.49 compared to a placebo. The prolongation of the preventive anticoagulation at the exit will protect with a decrease of almost 50% of the risk against thrombotic events and this without increasing the risk of bleeding.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): A poor prognostic biomarker in COVID-19.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be rampant with considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide since its emergence in December 2019. Several studies have focused on identifying different predictive factors of poor prognosis, including biological markers, such as C Reactive Protein among others. The objective of our work was to determine whether the CRP levels on admission to the intensive care unit are predictive of an unfavorable evolution of patients with COVID-19 through the experience of the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Oujda and to compare our results with those reported in the literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, monocentric, descriptive and analytical study in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care of the Mohammed VI University Hospital of Oujda, Morocco, between March 2020 and October 2021, including all critically ill patients admitted to the department during this period and meeting the inclusion criteria. The baseline admission CRP value was arbitrarily set at 100mg/d, thus conditioning the division of our patients into two groups (group 1: CRP < 100mg/L, group 2: CRP ≥ 100mg/L). Results: Among our 1035 included patients, 291 patients with had a CRP<100mlg/L (group 1) and 744 presented a CRP level equal or superior to 100mg/L (group 2). Lung parenchymal involvement was more severe or even critical (CT involvement > 75%) in group 2 (60.8%) compared to group 1 (39.2%). In group 2, 79.8% of patients were mechanically ventilated, compared to 20.2% of patients in group 1. Finally, the mortality rate in patients with a CRP ≥ 100mg/l was 77.4%, compared with 22.6% for patients with a CRP < 100mg/l. These findings are all statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Given the high contagiousness of the virus and the emergence of several variants, the management of the COVID-19 pandemic has focused more on prevention through vaccination against the virus, but also on an early identification of patients likely to evolve unfavorably for a personalized management.

The Impact of Prior Antithrombotic use on Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Severe COVID-19 Infection.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective in this study was to determine the predictive factors of thromboembolic complications in patients with previous heart disease and severe covid-19 infection and the impact of previous use of antithrombotics on protection against these complications. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 158 patients with heart disease admitted to an intensive care unit for severe SARS-COV-2 infection. In order to determine the predictive factors, we used logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 158 patients, 22 were complicated by a thrombo-embolic event (13.9%), mean age of our population 64.03 (SD = 15.27), with a male predominance of 98 (62%). For the predictive factors of thromboembolic complications, and after multivariate analysis, we find the short duration of hospitalization (OR = 0.92; 95%CI (0.863-0.983), P = .014, previous use of antithrombotic drugs ((OR = 0.288, 95%CI (0.091-0.911), P = .034 for antiplatelet agents) and (OR = 0.322, 95% CI (0, 131-0.851), P = .021) for anticoagulants) as protective factors, and admission thrombocytosis as a risk factor (OR = 4.58, 95%CI (1.2-10.627), P = .021). D-dimer was not detected as a risk factor, and this can be explained by the characteristics of our population. Although prior use of antithrombotic drugs protects against thromboembolic complications during severe infection, there was no benefit in mortality. CONCLUSION: Prior use of antithrombotic drugs is a protective factor against thromboembolic complications in patients with a history of heart disease but without effect on mortality.

Acute pancreatitis secondary to hypercalcemia in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism: An uncommon association.

Introduction: An uncommon cause of acute pancreatitis, primary hyperparathyroidism accounts for less than 1% of cases. Case presentation: A 41-year-old male with acute pancreatitis and hypercalcemia is described in this case. Primary hyperparathyroidism was discovered during the work-up for hypercalcemia. During the first 24 hours after his hospitalization, the patient was monitored in the intensive care unit, and after a positive outcome, he was discharged. Discussion: Pancreatitis is a rare presentation of hyperparathyroidism. The first documented case of this association was by Erdheim in 1903 on a post-mortem study (2). Hyperparathyroidism is often only discovered after two or three episodes of recurrent pancreatitis (5), thankfully, in this case, the patient has been diagnosed from its first episode and eventually treated to prevent any other ones. hypercalcaemia leads to increase calcium in the pancreatic responsible for aggression of the pancreatic parenchyma and ducts, Other authors suggest that the pancreatic secretion in patients with hypercalcaemia is lower than normal, but the enzyme activity remains normal, resulting in the formation of protein plugs in the pancreatic ducts leading to their obstruction and self-digestion. Conclusion: Hypercalcemia can cause acute pancreatitis. This report describes rare case of a patient with acute pancreatitis caused by hyperparathyroidism.

Mirizzi SD caused a rare case of Angiocholitis ictero-uremigene with shock septic: Case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Mirizzi syndrome is an obstructive jaundice caused by extrinsic compression of the common bile duct by a stone embedded in the cystic duct [1].Cholangitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency whose main risk is that of septic shock [1]. It can also progress to "Ictero-Uremigenic Angiocholitis" associated with sometimes extremely serious renal failure [2]. Case presentation: We reported the case of a 73-year-old patient admitted to the emergency room with septic shock on severe cholangitis. Given the presence of acute febrile cholangitis with criteria of septic shock on the one hand and acute renal failure on the other hand, the diagnosis of ictero-uremigenic Angiocholitis was made. Discussion: Angiocholitis is an inflammation and infection of the bile ducts, the etiologies of which are diverse, among them: Mirizzi's syndrome [1].The anatomical basis of Mirizzi syndrome has generally been attributed to an abnormal relationship between the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct [3]. Angiocholitis constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, its complications threaten the vital prognosis [4]. Ictero-uremigenic Angiocholitis where the septic component dominates represents a real picture of sepsis, cholestatic jaundice, oliguria with renal failure [2]. Conclusion: fortunately rare, but always to be feared, the ictero-uremigenic Angiocholitis produces a typical picture of Angiocholitis, accompanied by a serious septic shock which passes largely to the fore associating in a very short period of time an organic renal insufficiency [2], the Age over 70 is a serious factor, it constitutes a therapeutic emergency requiring desobstruction of the main bile duct and possibly recourse to hemodialysis [4].

Acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with COVID-19: prevalence, risk factors and mortality in eastern Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly seen in critically ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and its incidence reaches 60% in this setting. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors and mortality of AKI in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This observational retrospective case series was conducted between February 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 at the ICU of the university hospital Mohammed VI of Oujda, Morocco. all COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU with acute respiratory failure were included. AKI was defined and classified into three stages using the KDIGO criteria 2012. We excluded patients with end-stage kidney disease and those who were under 18 years old. RESULTS: Six hundred adult patients were included and 65.5% of them were men. Sixty patients had minimal lung damage (< 25%), 105 patients had mild lung damage (25-50%), 186 had severe lung damage (50-75%) and 193 patients had very severe lung damage (> 75%). A total of 210 patients (35%) developed AKI, of whom 78 (37.2%) had mild AKI (stage 1) and 132 (62.8%) severe AKI (stages 2 and 3). Patients in the severe and mild AKI groups had a higher rate of comorbidities, especially hypertension (mild AKI [46.2%] vs. severe AKI [36.4%] vs. no AKI [27.4%], p = 0.002) and diabetes (mild AKI [52.6%] vs. severe AKI [33.3%] vs. no AKI [26.4%], p < 0.001). During hospitalization, 23.3% of patients with AKI received kidney replacement therapy. In-hospital mortality was observed in 51.3% for mild AKI, 55.3% for severe AKI and 21% in patients who did not have AKI (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that not only severe AKI, but also mild AKI was correlated to in-hospital mortality. Whatever the severity of the kidney impairment, it remains a major prognostic element.

Factors influencing the length of stay in the moroccan intensive care unit in patients surviving critical COVID-19 infection.

Introduction: our objective is to determine the factors that influence the length of hospitalization of patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods: We have conducted a mono-centric retrospective cohort of 417 patients admitted in intensive care unit for a critical infection by COVID-19, for this purpose we have realized an analytical study using the linear regression model. Results: In our study, the average length of hospitalization for a critical infection with COVID-19 is 6 days (SD = 7Days), regarding the factors that influence the length of hospitalization, the length of time between the consultation and the onset of symptoms higher thann 8 days affects the length of hospitalization (coefficient = 1.2 days; CI = 0.769; 2.102 and pValue = 0.009), the presence of obesity which also affects the length of hospitalization (Coefficient = 1.6 days CI ((0.009; 3.265), and pValue = 0.049). During hospitalization, the use of mechanical ventilation, the use of tocilizumab, having a billateral nosocomial pneumonia are all factors that impact the length of hospitalization. Conclusion: It is recommended to emphasize the importance of early consultation after the onset of respiratory symptoms in the patients who are admitted to the intensive care unit in order to improve the length of their stay.

A rare case of cade oil poisoning complicated by acute pancreatitis and acute tubular necrosis.

Introduction: Cade oil is often used in traditional medicinal practices despite of its toxic effects, hence the occurrence of intoxication incidents often requiring intensive care. Case presentation: We present the case of a young patient with no prior medical history who was exposed to significant doses of Cade oil both on skin and ingested, and who subsequently developed an apyretic consciousness disorder warranting an admission to our ICU department for specialized management. Discussion: in this chapter we discuss the place of cade oil within Morocco's unsupervised medicinal practices. We also detail the spectrum of cade oil poisoning which is rarely reported in the literature, before discussing the therapeutic options. Conclusion: The phenol derivatives of Cade oil, which is still used frequently and widely, are responsible of an acute intoxication, mainly impairing the cardiovascular, respiratory and renal functions. A pancreatic involvement is rarely reported.

Acute ischemic stroke after first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine: A case report.

The acute cerebral ischemia induced by the COVID-19 vaccine is one of the side effects. We report the first case of a patient who suffered from a neurological deficit mimicking a stroke after receiving his 1st dose of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BIBP (Sinopharm) and who mainly developed cerebral venous thrombosis. Our reported case is a 36-year-old man who was admitted to our intensive care unit 2 days after his first injection dose of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BIBP (Sinopharm). He presented a numbness in his left arm and legs with headaches 24 hours after the vaccine injection. In the second day, he had asymmetry of the face which was aggravated by the installation of disturbance of consciousness and a state of agitation. His vital signs were normal. A brain CT scan without injection was done showing a right deep parietal ischemic stroke. The treatment was initiated by aspirin. cerebral MRI showed a very extensive stroke ischemic in the superficial and deep right parietal territory with the onset of hemorrhagic rearrangement of the right basal ganglia, magnetic resonance imaging angiography of the supra-aortic trunks was normal. The patient gradually improved and was discharged after 15 days of his stay in the intensive care unit. The installation of ischemic stroke reported in our young patient after receiving his first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BIBP; could be a new immune response to the vaccine.

Acute Myocardial Injury Assessed by High-Sensitive Cardiac Troponin Predicting Severe Outcomes and Death in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac injury has been linked to a poor prognosis during COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, the risk factors associated are yet to be thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare demographical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 with and without cardiac injury, to further investigate the prevalence of acute cardiac injury as well as its impact on their outcomes in COVID-19-patients. METHODS: We included in a retrospective analysis, all COVID-19 patients admitted between October first and December first, 2020, at the University Hospital Center of Oujda (Morocco) who underwent a troponin assay which was systematically measured on admission. The study population was divided into two groups: cardiac-injured patients and those without cardiac injury. Clinical, biological data and in-hospital outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: 298 confirmed COVID-19 cases were included. Our study found that compared to non-cardiac-injured, cardiac-injured patients are older, with higher possibilities of existing comorbidities including hypertension (68 [42.2%] vs 40 [29.2%], P = 0.02), diabetes (81 [50.3%] vs 53 [38.7%] P = 0.044), the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and mortality. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis shows a significantly increased risk of death among cardiac-injured COVID-19-patients as compared to non-cardiac injured. (HR, 1.620 [CI 95%: 2.562-1.024]). CONCLUSION: Our retrospective cohort found that old age, comorbidities, a previous history of CAD, were significantly associated with acute cardiac injury. COVID-19 patients with acute cardiac injury are at a higher risk of ICU admission, and death.

A very rare case of chylomicronemia revealed by cerebral thrombophlebitis in a 4-month-old infant.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperchylomicronemia is a disorder of lipid's metabolism that can present fatal complications such us such venous or arterial thrombosis, pancreatitis, and cardiovascular incidents. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report case we report a 4months old patient who was admitted in the emergency room for hypotonia and during the blood sampling we were surprised by the macroscopic latescent aspect of the blood. During the investigations we found that the patient had a fatty cerebral venous thrombosis that revealed hyperchylomicronemia. Furthermore, the patient presented tuberculosis cerebral abscess and stage A pancreatitis and was successfully treated. DISCUSSION: Primary hypertriglyceridemia results from the accumulation of genes polymorphisms encoding for proteins involved in the triglycerides metabolism but before thinking about primary origin a secondary one should be pushed aside. Biological investigations should test lipoprotein lipase activity that can be absent or reduced to confirm a lipid disorder, then lipoprotein electrophoresis and genetic study can deliver the diagnosis. The management of this disease is based on low fat diet that should not be over than 25-30g per day, also statin, fibrate, omega 3 acid, heparin and insulin can be used. CONCLSUION: Adequate treatment and exploration permits to obtain the optimum care to avoid any complications.

Special case of a patient in the blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia successfully treated with tocilizumab during critical SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The medical care of patients with hematological malignancies who develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a major challenge during the current pandemic. We herein describe a patient in the blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia who was hospitalized for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The patient was successfully treated with tocilizumab, and intubation was avoided. The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is mostly related to a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome that develops secondary to cytokine release syndrome, and interleukin 6 is the main cytokine involved in cytokine release syndrome. Very few reports have described the use of tocilizumab in patients with hematologic malignancies who develop SARS-CoV-2 infection, although a few cases of patients with multiple myeloma have been reported. To our knowledge, however, this is the first report of a SARS-CoV-2-infected patient in the blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia who had a favorable response to treatment with tocilizumab. The management of patients with hematological malignancies who become infected with SARS-CoV-2 is a major challenge for practitioners, necessitating more specific research in this direction.

A case of limbic encephalitis associated with severely COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION: SARS Cov-2 infection is a pandemic that continues to ravage the world. The list of its complications continues to grow every day. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a young patient admitted to intensive care for limbic encephalitis associated with severely COVID-19 infection. DISCUSSION: With the COVID-19 outbreak being a global pandemic, various neurological manifestations have been reported. On the other hand, diverse cases of limbic encephalitis related to COVID-19 have been recently described, they are related either to hyper inflammation syndrome with massive release of inflammatory cytokines or to secondary autoimmune response. CONCLUSION: Seriously ill COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of limbic encephalitis. It is therefore important to monitor Neurological Events in COVID-19 patients. This makes it possible to start the appropriate treatments quickly and avoid complications.

Pneumorachis and pneumocephalus: Case report of a rare blunt chest trauma complication.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumorachis, air in the spinal canal, is very rare and its association with pneumocephalus following blunt thoracic trauma remains exceptionally uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 65-year-old patient, a pedestrian hit by a car driving at very high speed. The lesion assessment on admission showed a bilateral hemothorax of moderate abundance, a right pneumothorax of low abundance and a left pneumothorax of moderate abundance, subcutaneous cervico-dorsal emphysema, pneumocephalus and significant pneumorachis at the cervico-dorsal level without fracture of the base of the skull, sinuses or the spine. DISCUSSION: We discuss the different etiologies of pneumorachis, the main hypotheses of the constitution of this air effusion and the principles of management. CONCLUSION: Pneumorachis associated with pneumocephalus in a traumatic context without bone lesions is an extremely rare entity, its discovery should lead to further investigations to look for any spinal or basilar skull fracturethat could expose to an infectious risk or require a surgical procedure.

Plasmapherisis in Covid-19 patient under ECMO: A Moroccan case report experience.

INTRODUCTION: Sars-CoV-2 induces an intense cytokine response called cytokine storm at the origin of acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. In this context, several treatments have been proposed; and plasmapheresis appears as a promising treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 57-year-old patient admitted for Sars-CoV-2 infection, who requiried the use of mechanical ventilation, assistance by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO and treated by plasmapheresis plugged on the ECMO circuit. DISCUSSION: We discuss the mechanisms responsible for the Sars-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm leading to an acute respiratory distress syndrome and the main therapeutic alternatives with emphasis on plasmapheresis. CONCLUSION: Reduction of cytokines by plasmapheresis may be very useful in the management of Covid-19 infection if it is undertaken early even on an ECMO circuit.

Cardiogenic shock revealing myocarditis after mRNA vaccination against covid-19: Case report and brief review for the first case in Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: and importance: After its unexpected effectiveness in the clinical trials, the anti-COVID-19 vaccine type mRNA was launched on December 11, 2020, but a few months later, several reports of post-mRNA vaccination myocarditis were published, but without any proven causal link. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 14-year-old teenager admitted to the emergency department for a cardiogenic shock, the patient mentioned that he had an anti-COVID 19 vaccination 10 days before his admission. First, the vasoactive drugs had stabilized the patient; the troponins came back highly favorable but later confirmed myocarditis by magnetic resonance imaging. In this sense an etiological analysis was made and it came back without any particularities, leaving us relating the myocarditis to the vaccination. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Post-vaccination myocarditis is a rare event, with very few reports in the literature. After the introduction of COVID vaccination, several reports were published, mostly after the mRNA vaccine. Until now, no causal link has been proven, so we need to have more reports in this sense to have a better knowledge of this phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Until we obtain a more precise explanation of the mechanism of myocarditis after vaccination with the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, all symptoms suggesting myocarditis should be systematically monitored during the first 7 days after vaccination.

Cerebral thrombophlebitis revealing SARS-CoV-2 infection: About one case.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 infection is a pandemic that continues to ravage the world, the list of its complications continues to grow longer every day. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a patient admitted to intensive care for cerebral thrombophlebitis revealing a SARS-CoV-2 infection. DISCUSSION: The inflammatory nature of SARS-CoV-2 infection exposes an increased risk of thrombosis.In this article, we will discuss its mechanism and the anticoagulant treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: Besides the typical clinical signs, SARS-CoV-2 infection can manifest as thromboembolic complications such as pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and less frequently cerebral thrombophlebitis.

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax in critically-ill COVID-19 infants: About two cases.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is an emerging infection, it is the first large-scale pandemic of the 21st century. Several complications have been described during this infection but spontaneous pneumothorax remains an uncommon complication, even more so in infants. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report two cases of a 9-month-old and 18-month-old males admitted to our department for the management of an acute respiratory distress due to a COVID-19 infection associated to a spontaneous pneumothorax successfully drained.While one patient had a favorable outcome, the other was readmitted to our department for the management of a septic shock secondary to a urinary tract infection with a deadly outcome. DISCUSSION: In this paragraph we describe known causes behind spontaneous pneumothorax, before detailing the different pathogenesis hypotheses linking pneumothorax to COVID-19, all while comparing data to the literature related to the adult population. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a serious complication associated with severe COVID-19 that can occur in infants and must be considered in the event of a respiratory aggravation or a persistent hypoxia.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a patient on acenocoumarol for valvular atrial fibrillation: A rare case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare finding, but one with serious clinical implications. Oral anticoagulant drugs are known to be associated with the SSEH onset, particularly when combined with drugs increasing the bleeding risk. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 62-year-old female on acencoumarol for her atrial fibrillation complicating severe mitral stenosis with a history of Ketoprofen use for the onset of her first symptoms. She presented to our emergency room with paraplegia and sphincter disturbance. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a posterior SSEH extended from T10 to T12 requiring an urgent decompression of the spinal cord by laminectomy performed within 48 hours from the symptom's onset. After 3 months of rehabilitation, the patient improves partially her muscular strength with mostly unchanged sensitive and sphincteric levels. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) use appears to be a high suspicion index for SSEH diagnosis resulting in earlier surgery and improving neurological outcome. Also, it is important to pay attention to the concomitant use of VKA and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which increase the risk of bleeding and may worsen the neurological outcome. CONCLUSION: SSEH is a rare and serious finding which should be especially searched when a history of oral anticoagulation is reported in presence of neurological symptoms. A prompt and suitable management may improve the patient outcomes.