Death by acid rain: VAP or EXIT?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a new (nosocomial) lower respiratory tract infection diagnosed in mechanically ventilated patients 48 or more hours after intubation. There is no gold standard for establishing the diagnosis and its pathogenesis is iatrogenic and multifactorial. Gastro-oesophageal reflux is common in mechanically ventilated children, but its role in VAP remains speculative. VAP is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, prolonged duration of ventilation and hospital stay, and escalated costs of hospitalisation. VAP 'bundles' are championed as the antidote.     

Incidence, risk factors and outcome of barotrauma in mechanically ventilated patients

Objective To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of barotrauma in a cohort of mechanically ventilated patients where limited tidal volumes and airway pressures were used.Design and setting Prospective cohort of 361 intensive care units from 20 countries.Patients and participants A total of 5183 patients mechanically ventilated for more than 12 h.Measurements and results Baseline demographic data, primary indication for mechanical ventilation, daily ventilator settings, multiple-organ failure over the course of mechanical ventilation and outcome were collected. Barotrauma was present in 154 patients (2.9%). The incidence varied according to the reason for mechanical ventilation: 2.9% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 6.3% of patients with asthma; 10.0% of patients with chronic interstitial lung disease (ILD); 6.5% of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); and 4.2% of patients with pneumonia. Patients with and without barotrauma did not differ in any ventilator parameter. Logistic regression analysis identified as factors independently associated with barotrauma: asthma [RR 2.58 (1.05–6.50)], ILD [RR 4.23 (95%CI 1.78–10.03)]; ARDS as primary reason for mechanical ventilation [RR 2.70 (95%CI 1.55–4.70)]; and ARDS as a complication during the course of mechanical ventilation [RR 2.53 (95%CI 1.40–4.57)]. Case-control analysis showed increased mortality in patients with barotrauma (51.4 vs 39.2%; p=0.04) and prolonged ICU stay.Conclusions In a cohort of patients in whom airway pressures and tidal volume are limited, barotrauma is more likely in patients ventilated due to underlying lung disease (acute or chronic). Barotrauma was also associated with a significant increased in the ICU length of stay and mortality.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary Material is available in the online version of this article at     

The impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia on the Canadian health care system

INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. It is associated with increased health care costs and duration of mechanical ventilation. Using published data and information from public health care providers, we sought to determine the impact of VAP on the Canadian health care system. METHODS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence, attributable mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization/resource data were obtained through Canadian published and institutional data. Ontario case cost methodology was used for the cost of a critical care bed which is CAN dollars 2396 per day, excluding treatment costs. Antibiotic acquisition costs for Ontario were used. Physician reimbursement rates were obtained from the provincial ministries of health. Ventilator-associated pneumonia data, ICU resource data, and costs were combined to determine the impact of VAP. RESULTS: For the Canadian health care system; ICU utilization is 217 episodes per 100000 population and 1150 days of mechanical ventilation per 100000. The incidence of VAP is 10.6 cases per 1000 ventilator days (95% CI, 5.1-16.1). Ventilator-associated pneumonia increases ICU length of stay 4.3 days (95% CI, 1.5-7.0 days) per episode. The attributable mortality of VAP is 5.8% (95% CI, -2.4 to 14). The number of cases of VAP is estimated to be approximately 4000 cases per year (95% CI, 1900-6100). This results in 230 deaths per year with the lower and upper confidence intervals ranging from 0 to 580. Ventilator-associated pneumonia accounts for approximately 17000 ICU days per year or around 2% of all ICU days in Canada. The cost to the health care system is CAN dollars 46 million (possible range, dollars 10 million to 82 million) per year. CONCLUSION: The impact of VAP on the Canadian health care system is considerable. Eradication of this preventable nosocomial infection would save lives and conserve scarce health care resources.     

Subglottic Secretion Drainage for Preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia: A Meta-analysis

Objective:Ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP) has been shown to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality(Chastre and Fagon,2002;klompas,2007) among mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit(ICU),with the incidence ranging from 9%to 21%;crude mortality ranges from 25%to 50%.A meta- analysis of published studies was undertaken to combine information regarding the effect of subglottic secretion drainage(SSD) on the incidence of ventilated associated pneumonia in adult ICU patients.Methods:Reports of studies on SSD were identified by searching the PUBMED,EMBASE,and COCHRANCE LIBRARY databases(December 30,2010).Randomized trials of SSD compared to usual care in adult mechanically ventilated ICU patients were included in this meta-analysis.Results:Ten RCTs with 2,314 patients were identified.SSD significantly reduced the incidence of VAP[relative risk(RR) = 0.52,95%confidence interval(CI):0.42- 0.64,P 0.000 01].When SSD was compared with the control groups,the overall RR for ICU mortality was 1.00(95%CI,0.84- 1.19) and for hospital mortality was 0.95(95%CI,0.80- 1.13).Overall,the subglottic drainage effect on the days of mechanical ventilation was-1.52 days(95%CI,-2.94 to-0.11) and on the ICU length of stay(LOS) was-0.81days(95%CI,-2.33 to-0.7).Conclusions:In this meta-analysis,when an endotracheal tube(ETT) with SSD was compared with an ETT without SSD,there was a highly significant reduction in the VAP rate of approximately 50%.Time on mechanical ventilation(MV) and the ICU LOS may be reduced,but no reduction in ICU or hospital mortality has been observed in published trials.     

"集束化"治疗措施对呼吸机相关性肺炎的预防作用

目的 探讨"集束化"治疗措施在预防重症监护病房呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)中的作用.方法 82例经口气管插管、机械通气的患者随机分为"集束化"治疗组(集束化组)40例及传统方法治疗组(对照组)42例.比较两组患者VAP的发病率、入住ICU时间及病死率.结果 集束化组VAP发病率21.4%,平均入住ICU时间16.23d;对照组VAP发病率47.5%,平均入住ICU时间21.45d,两组差异有统计学意义;两组VAP患者较非VAP患者病死率明显增高;集束化组较对照组混合感染发生率降低,真菌感染发生率降低.结论 "集束化"治疗措施与传统治疗措施相比较能够降低VAP的发病率,减少患者入住ICU时间."集束化"治疗措施对于预防机械通气患者VAP的发生有一定作用.     

Chest physiotherapy for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: Pneumonia is an important complication in patients who are intubated and mechanically ventilated, when it is commonly referred to as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Since VAP may be contributed to by impaired sputum clearance, we studied whether chest physiotherapy designed to enhance sputum clearance decreases the occurrence of VAP. DESIGN: Prospective controlled systematic allocation trial. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital ICU. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Sixty adult patients intubated and mechanically ventilated for at least 48 h. INTERVENTIONS: Chest physiotherapy (intervention group) or sham physiotherapy (control group). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Control and intervention groups were well matched for age, sex, and admission PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio, APACHE II score, and Glasgow Coma Score. There were no differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in ICU or mortality. VAP was assessed daily by combined clinical assessment and the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS). VAP occurred in 39% (14/36) of the control group and 8% (2/24) of the intervention group (OR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.56, P = 0.02). After adjustment was made by logistic regression for other important variables (APACHE II score, duration of mechanical ventilation, presence of tracheostomy, and GCS score), chest physiotherapy was independently associated with a reduced occurrence of VAP (adjusted OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.94, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this small trial, chest physiotherapy in ventilated patients was independently associated with a reduction in VAP. This suggested benefit of physiotherapy in prevention of VAP requires confirmation with a larger randomised controlled trial.     

Influence of age on outcome of mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of age on the outcome of patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit. PATIENTS: A total of 1,141 patients in our ICU during a 32-month period. A total of 536 patients required mechanical ventilation. After exclusion of 171 patients ventilated for less than 24 hrs after surgery, 365 patients were investigated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-six (73%) patients were aged less than 70 yrs; 99 (27%) patients were greater than or equal to 70 yrs. There was no significant difference in mortality rate between the younger and the older age groups. There was no significant influence of other important factors, such as severity of illness, duration of mechanical ventilation, or length of ICU stay. The only factor showing a significant influence on patient outcome was the reason for mechanical ventilation. There were more survivors in the group being ventilated because of ventilatory insufficiency than in the group with oxygenation impairment (57.8% vs. 23.9%, p less than .001). CONCLUSION: An influence of age on the outcome of mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU could not be ascertained in this study.     

Ventilator-associated pneumonia and ICU mortality in severe ARDS patients ventilated according to a lung-protective strategy

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may contribute to the mortality associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to determine the incidence, outcome, and risk factors of bacterial VAP complicating severe ARDS in patients ventilated by using a strictly standardized lung-protective strategy. METHODS: This prospective epidemiologic study was done in all the 339 patients with severe ARDS included in a multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial of cisatracurium besylate in severe ARDS patients. Patients with suspected VAP underwent bronchoalveolar lavage to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight (28.9%) patients had at least one episode of microbiologically documented bacterial VAP, including 41 (41.8%) who died in the ICU, compared with 74 (30.7%) of the 241 patients without VAP (P = 0.05). After adjustment, age and severity at baseline, but not VAP, were associated with ICU death. Cisatracurium besylate therapy within 2 days of ARDS onset decreased the risk of ICU death. Factors independently associated with an increased risk to develop a VAP were male sex and worse admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. Tracheostomy, enteral nutrition, and the use of a subglottic secretion-drainage device were protective. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe ARDS receiving lung-protective ventilation, VAP was associated with an increased crude ICU mortality which did not remain significant after adjustment.     

Clinical and economic consequences of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. The clinical and economic consequences of VAP are unclear, with a broad range of values reported in the literature OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review to determine the incidence of VAP and its attributable mortality rate, length of stay, and costs. DATA SOURCE: Computerized PUBMED and MEDLINE search supplemented by manual searches for relevant articles, limited to articles published after 1990. STUDY SELECTION: English-language observational studies and randomized trials that provided data on the incidence of VAP were included. Matched cohort studies were included for calculation of attributable mortality rate and length of stay. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted on patient population, diagnostic criteria for VAP, incidence, outcome, type of intensive care unit, and study design. DATA SYNTHESIS: The cumulative incidence of VAP was calculated by combining the results of several studies using standard formulas for combining proportions, in which the weighted average and variance are calculated. Results from studies comparing intensive care unit and hospital mortality due to VAP, additional length of stay, and additional days of mechanical ventilation were pooled using a random effects model, with assessment of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Our findings indicate a) between 10% and 20% of patients receiving >48 hrs of mechanical ventilation will develop VAP; b) critically ill patients who develop VAP appear to be twice as likely to die compared with similar patients without VAP (pooled odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.56); c) patients with VAP have significantly longer intensive care unit lengths of stay (mean = 6.10 days; 95% confidence interval, 5.32-6.87 days); and d) patients who develop VAP incur > or = USD $10,019 in additional hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs in a considerable proportion of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and is associated with substantial morbidity, a two-fold mortality rate, and excess cost. Given these findings, strategies that effectively prevent VAP are urgently needed.     

Oropharyngeal decontamination in intensive care patients: less is not more

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common cause of morbidity, antibiotic use, increased length of stay and, possibly, increased mortality in ICU patients. Colonization of the oropharyngeal cavity with potentially pathogenic micro-organisms is instrumental in the pathogenesis of VAP, and selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) with antibiotics (AB-SOD) or antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX-SOD), has been associated with reduced incidences of VAP. In a recent issue of Critical Care Scannapieco and colleagues investigated differences in oropharyngeal colonization between mechanically ventilated patients receiving oropharyngeal decontamination with 0.12% CHX-SOD either once or twice daily compared to placebo. CHX-SOD was associated with a reduction in Staphylococcus aureus colonization, but the study was underpowered to demonstrate a reduction in VAP incidence. We urgently need well-designed and adequately powered studies to evaluate the potential benefits of CHX-SOD on patient outcome in ICUs.     

Outcome of older patients receiving mechanical ventilation

Objective To determine the threshold of age that best discriminates the survival of mechanically ventilated patients and to estimate the outcome of mechanically ventilated older patients.Design International prospective cohort study.Setting Three hundred sixty-one intensive care units from 20 countries.Patients and participants Five thousand one hundred eighty-three patients mechanically ventilated for more than 12 h.Interventions None.Measurements and results Recursive partitioning and logistic regression were used and an outcome model was derived and validated using independent subgroups of the cohort. Two age thresholds (43 and 70 years) were found, by partitioning recursive analysis, to be associated with outcome. This study focuses on the analysis of patients older than 43 years of age, divided in two subgroups: between 43 and 70 years (middle age group) and older than 70 years (elderly group). Survival in hospital was 45% (95% C.I.: 43–48) for the elderly group and 55% (53–57) for the middle age group (p<0.001). Advanced age was not associated with prolongation of mechanical ventilation, weaning or length of stay in the ICU and in hospital (p>0.05). Variables associated with mortality in the elderly were: acute renal failure, shock, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and a ratio of PaO₂ to FIO₂ more than 150.Conclusions Older mechanically ventilated patients (age >70 years) had a lower ICU and hospital survival, but the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stay were similar to younger patients. Factors associated with the highest risk of mortality in patients older than 70 were the development of complications during the course of mechanical ventilation, such as acute renal failure and shock.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at The authors wrote this paper on behalf of the Mechanical Ventilation International Study Group, whose members are listed in the electronic supplementary material.Supported by grant 98/0233 from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, by the Red GIRA (G03/063 from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias), by the Red Respira (C03/11 from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias) and Merit Review Grant from Veterans Administration Research Service.Dr. Ely is funded by the Paul Beeson Faculty Scholar Award for Study of Aging and the National Institute of Aging (#AG01023–01A1)     

Oral Care Reduces Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in ICU Populations

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether oral care contributes to preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU patients. DESIGN: Nonrandomized trial with historical controls. SETTING: A medical-surgical ICU in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 1,666 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU. INTERVENTION: Oral care was provided to 1,252 patients who were admitted to the ICU during period between January 1997 and December 2002 (oral care group), while 414 patients who were admitted to the ICU during period between January 1995 and December 1996 and who did not receive oral care served as historical controls (non-oral care group). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Incidence of VAP(episodes of pneumonia per 1000 ventilator days) in the oral care group was significantly lower than that in the non-oral care group (3.9 vs 10.4). The relative risk of VAP in the oral care group compared to that in the non-oral care group was 0.37, with an attributable risk of -3.96%. Furthermore, length of stay in ICU before onset of VAP was greater in the oral care than in the non-oral care group (8.5+/-4.6 vs 6.3+/-7.5 days). However, no significant difference was observed in either duration of mechanical ventilation or length of stay between the groups (5.9+/-10.8 vs 6.0+/-8.8 days and 7.5+/-11.5 vs 7.2+/-9.5 days, respectively). Pseudomonoas aeruginosa was the most frequently detected bacteria in both groups. Number of potentially pathogenic bacteria in oral cavity was significantly reduced by single oral care procedure. CONCLUSION: Oral care decreased the incidence of VAP in ICU patients. DESCRIPTOR: Pulmonary nosocomial infection.     

Prognosis factors and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia needing mechanical ventilation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variables associated with mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia who require mechanical ventilation and to determine the attributable morbidity and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality of community-acquired pneumonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study carried out in 361 ICUs from 20 countries including 124 patients who required mechanical ventilation on the first day of admission to the hospital due to acute respiratory failure secondary to severe community-acquired pneumonia. To assess the factors associated with outcome, a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed, and to determine the attributable mortality of community-acquired pneumonia, a matched study design was used. RESULTS: We found 3 independent variables significantly associated with death in patients with community-acquired pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation: simplified acute physiological score greater than 45 (odds ratio, 5.5 [95% confidence interval, 1.7-12.3]), shock (odds ratio, 5.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.7-10.1]), and acute renal failure (odds ratio, 3.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.0]). There was no statistically significant difference in ICU mortality among patients with or without community-acquired pneumonia (32% vs 35%; P=.59). CONCLUSIONS: Community-acquired pneumonia needing mechanical ventilation is not a disease associated with higher mortality. The main determinants of patient outcome were initial severity of illness and the development of shock and/or acute renal failure.     

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia,mortality and all intensive care unit acquired infections by topically applied antimicrobial or antiseptic agents: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in intensive care units

Introduction  

Given the high morbidity and mortality attributable to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, prevention plays a key role in the management of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. One of the candidate preventive interventions is the selective decontamination of the digestive or respiratory tract (SDRD) by topical antiseptic or antimicrobial agents. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effect of topical digestive or respiratory tract decontamination with antiseptics or antibiotics in the prevention of VAP, of mortality and of all ICU-acquired infections in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.     

重症监护病房的呼吸机相关性肺炎的流行病学分析和预防对策

目的：通过流行病学、微生物特性对呼吸机相关性肺炎（VAP）病人预后的分析,探讨减少危重病人VAP的病死率。方法：回顾性分析2006年12月至2007年11月我院重症监护病房（ICU）被确诊为VAP的病例资料。结果：VAP患者住ICU天数、机械通气天数较非VAP患者明显延长（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。高龄、严重的基础疾病、延长机械通气持续时间是VAP患者高死亡率的危险因素。结论：积极治疗基础疾病、缩短机械通气时间、合理运用抗生素,以及做好各项预防消毒措施是防治VAP的关键。     

Impact of appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy on the outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of appropriate initial antibiotic therapy (AB) on the outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN: Retrospective study (1992-97). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Episodes of VAP diagnosed on both clinical and microbiological criteria after > or = 48 h of mechanical ventilation (MV). Initial AB was considered appropriate when all significant organisms were susceptible to at least one of the antibiotics started after distal bronchial sampling. Antibiotic treatment was modified within 48 h when susceptibility testing was available. Outcome was recorded at the ICU and hospital discharge. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were included (SAPS II = 48 +/- 18, age = 62 +/- 14 years, mean duration of MV before VAP = 12 +/- 9 days). Initial AB was appropriate in 55 patients (49.5%). No difference between appropriate initial AB and inappropriate initial AB was found concerning severity indices at the time of VAP diagnosis. ICU length of stay was shorter with appropriate initial AB than with inappropriate initial AB for survivors (12 +/- 11 days vs 20 +/- 24 days, P = 0.01). Crude hospital mortality tended to be lower with appropriate initial AB than with inappropriate initial AB (47.3% vs 60.7%, odds ratio = 1.72, 95% CI = 0.81-3.7). Relative crude mortality reduction with appropriate initial AB was 22%, 95% CI = -10% to 45%. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate initial AB of VAP during the first 48 h increased ICU length of stay after VAP diagnosis and tended to increase crude hospital mortality despite equal severity of illness at the time of VAP diagnosis, when compared to appropriate initial AB in a population of 111 ICU patients.     

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a surgical intensive care unit: epidemiology, etiology and comparison of three bronchoscopic methods for microbiological specimen sampling

Background  

Ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VAP) is a important intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection in mechanically ventilated patients. Early and correct diagnosis of VAP is difficult but is an urgent challenge for an optimal antibiotic treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and microbiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia and to compare three quantitative bronchoscopic methods for diagnosis.     

外科重症监护室呼吸机相关性肺炎危险因素分析及护理对策

目的分析外科重症监护室患者呼吸机相关性肺炎(ventilator associated pneumonia,VAP)的危险因素,并制定针对性的护理对策。方法回顾性分析2012年1—12月广州市某三级甲等医院外科重症监护室收治的104例机械通气超过48 h患者的临床资料,并将患者分为VAP和非VAP组,先以单因素分析筛选出有统计学意义的变量,再使用逐步Logistic回归分析确定VAP的显著独立危险因素,并实施针对性护理措施。结果单因素分析显示,机械通气时间、入住外科重症监护室时间、基础疾病、中心静脉置管、急诊、插管方式、输血史、镇静评分、雾化吸入、昏迷、激素、血清白蛋白、上机前48 h使用抗生素、抑酸剂等14项因素差异有统计学意义(P0.05);但多因素分析只有机械通气时间、昏迷进入回归方程,是外科重症监护室VAP的危险因素,OR值分别为2.684和7.547。结论通过对外科重症监护室VAP危险因素的研究分析,于制定科学的护理对策,以有效降低VAP的发生率。     

High levels of sulfated mucins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: To compare the levels of sulfated mucins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in ICU patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) with those in non-infectious controls, i.e., ventilated ICU patients without VAP, and nonventilated patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in a mixed intensive care unit and outpatient clinic of a university hospital. PATIENTS: The study included 56 ventilated ICU patients with VAP, 21 ventilated ICU patients without VAP, and 26 nonventilated outpatients with no pulmonary infection. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Total cell count and differential cell count of BALF samples were determined, and sulfated mucin levels were measured. For this we used the monoclonal antibody F2 against the sulfated Lewis C structure (SO(3)-3Galbeta1-3GlcNAc). Sulfated mucin levels were significantly increased in ICU patients with VAP than in those without VAP and nonventilated patients. No statistical difference was found between the two groups of ICU patients regarding APACHE II score and the duration of mechanical ventilation prior to the bronchoalveolar lavage. CONCLUSIONS: The increased levels of sulfated mucins in ICU patients with VAP are associated with infection and not with ventilation. The increase in sulfated mucins may favor the persistence of those micro-organisms that possess mucin sulfatase activity, which enable them to survive within the mucus, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Subglottic secretion drainage for preventing ventilator associated pneumonia: A meta-analysis

BackgroundVentilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been shown to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1, 2, 3 It has been reported to affect between 9 and 27% of intubated patients receiving mechanical ventilation.4, 5, 6ObjectiveA meta-analysis was undertaken to combine information from published studies of the effect of subglottic drainage of secretions on the incidence of ventilated associated pneumonia in adult ICU patients.Data sourcesStudies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1966 to January 2011), EMBASE (1980–2011), and CINAHL (1982 to January 2011).Review methodsRandomized trials of subglottic drainage of secretions compared to usual care in adult mechanically ventilated ICU patients were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsSubglottic drainage of secretions was estimated to reduced the risk of VAP by 48% (fixed-effect relative risk (RR) = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42–0.65). When comparing subglottic drainage and control groups, the summary relative risk for ICU mortality was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.86–1.28) and for hospital mortality was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.81–1.12). Overall subglottic drainage effect on days of mechanical ventilation was ?1.04 days (95% CI, ?2.79–0.71).ConclusionThis meta-analysis of published randomized control trials shows that almost one-half of cases of VAP may be prevented with the use of specialized endotracheal tubes designed to drain subglottic secretions. Time on mechanical ventilation may be reduced and time to development of VAP may be increased, but no reduction in ICU or hospital mortality has been observed in published trials.