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Abstract

Introduction: We studied different causes of patient admission, types of trauma, and patient outcomes in a general intensive care unit (ICU) in Cairo university school of medicine. We hypothesized that governmental violence against protesters after the military coup on July 3rd 2013 might change the pattern of our ICU patients Methods: All patients admitted to a Ten-bedded ICU between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2012 were enrolled in the study. Pre-coup period was compared to Post-coup period as regards ratio of trauma patients, type of trauma, and site of injury Results: Total number of admitted patients in our ICU was 312, the most common causes for ICU admission were trauma (45%) followed by sepsis (35%), medical causes (14%), and burn (6%). Head trauma patients represented 44% of trauma patients. Post-coup period showed a significant increase in the ratio of trauma patients compared to Pre-coup period (67.2% Vs 39.8%, P value =0.01). As regards Type of trauma a significant increase in gunshot injuries was reported in the Post-coup period compared to Pre-coup period (46.2% Vs 18.5%, P value =0.025). Sites of injury were Head and neck (44%), abdomen (43%) and peripheral vascular injury (13%) Conclusions: The political situation after the military coup in Egypt markedly increased the ratio of critically ill trauma patients especially gunshot injuries. Head and neck are the most common sites for injury