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Background: BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) include polycythemia Vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primitive myelofibrosis (PMF). the JAK2 V617F mutation has been introduced since 2008 as a major diagnostic criterion on the one hand and on the other hand, it would be linked to increased risk of thrombotic complications., Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association of JAK2 mutation and thrombotic events in MPN., Methods: A retrospective study concerning 45 BCR-ABL negative MPN patients (mean age=53 old years, sex ratio=0.8) was conducted., Results: They were classified as PV (22 patients), ET (17 patients), PMF (3 patients) and atypical MPN (3 patients). The JAK2 mutation was found in 64.4% of patients: 72.7% of PV patients, 47% of ET patients and 66.7% of PMF patients. Thrombotic events were recorded in 11 patients (24.4%). Cerebral arteries and portal vein were the most frequent localizations. The JAK2 mutation was an independent risk factor of thrombotic events., Conclusion: Consequently, it seems that screening for JAK2 mutation in BCR-ABL negative MPN could play a role in identifying patients at high risk of vascular complications.

Background: Blood transfusion is a high risk activity., Aim: To evaluate transfusion safety in planned cardiac surgery., Methods: This study was conducted in the blood bank of the Rabta Hospital in two phases: a phase to observe transfusion acts followed by corrective actions and a phase to evaluate the impacts of these corrections on the transfusion practices. Characteristics of the potentially transfused patients, the eventually prescribed, dispensed and transfused blood products and transfusion practices were studied., Results: During the observation phase, 70 patients were enrolled, 51 potentially transfused. Weaknesses concerned the mention of phenotype and transfusion history when ordering blood components as well as the double ABO/D group typing, the phenotype and the cross match performing. Final bedside controls were done in a wrong way. The distribution and the blood administration were established respectively for 208 and 232 blood products. The traceability was established for 86 blood products. During the evaluation phase, 30 patients were enrolled, 15 potentially transfused. Improvement was achieved in the transfusion history notification, phenotype and antibodies screen performing and cross matching., Conclusion: Optimisation of blood transfusion can be conceived only with collaboration between the different transfusion structures.

Background: The pathogenesis of myocardial infarction (MI) in young involves new factors including constitutional or acquired thrombophilia., Aim: To determine in patients ² 50 years, the association between coagulation factors deficiency, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events during follow-up., Methods: Protein C (PC), PS and antithrombin (AT) were screened in 50 patients admitted for acute MI and in a healthy control group. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using SPSS 11.5 version., Results: PS and PC deficiency were associated to MI (respectively 24% vs 0%, p=0.001 and 14% vs 0%, p=0.016), independently for PC. No AT deficiency was detected in both groups. During followup, PS and C deficiency were predictive for venous thrombosis (p<0.05) and PS deficiency for pulmonary embolism., Conclusion: Protein C and S deficiency may play an important role in MI in young and also in thromboembolic complications during follow-up. Nevertheless, therapeutic implications remain controversial.

Background: Diabetes is one of the principal cause of blindness in adults. The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency of ocular complications and risk factors of diabetes. It's a multicentric prospective study on a representative sample of 285 diabetics., Methods: We performed a general and an ophthalmologic exam for all patients with retinal angiography and appropriate laboratory tests. Chi 2, Fisher, Mann and Whitney tests were used as statistical methods., Results: Diabetic retinopathy was observed in 45,2% of patients, cataract in 22%, glaucoma in 5%. Diabetic retinopathy frequency rises especially with duration of diabetes and bad glycaemic control. Blindness related to diabetic retinopathy was observed in 6,25% and visual deficiency in 12,5%. The authors compared their results with literature data. They emphasize on the great value of regular better glycaemic control and other associated metabolic disorders., Conclusion: We concluded that a regular ophthalmologic follow up is necessary for early diabetic retinopathy detection and treatment.