BACKGROUND Underinflation of tracheal cuff is a risk factor for microaspiration of contaminated secretions and subsequent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this collaborative meta-analysis of individual participant data is to determine the impact of continuous control of P cuff on the incidence of VAP. METHODS Studies were identified by searching PubMed and references of relev...

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can have a clear onset or may be a result of the gradual appearance of symptoms and signs of VAP (gradual VAP). The aim of this paper is to describe the VAP development process with the intention of discriminating between those pneumonias with a clear beginning and those that are diagnosed after a period of maturation. In addition, we evaluate th...

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most common hospital-acquired infections, has a high mortality rate. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the incidence of VAP in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit and to examine the effects of the implementation of ventilator bundles and staff education on its incidence. METHODS A 24-month-long before/after study was conducted, divided i...

BACKGROUND The occurrence of nosocomial pneumonia (NP) in the hospital setting is especially problematic, as it is associated with a greater risk of in-hospital death, longer stays on mechanical ventilation and in the intensive care unit (ICU), more need for tracheostomy, and significantly higher medical care costs. METHODS Review of the pertinent English-language literature. RESULTS The ad...

This issue of RESPIRATORY CARE includes a detailed study of a novel device to maintain a stable pressure within the cuff of an endotracheal tube (ETT).1 Why all the bother? Why do ETTs need cuffs anyway? These seem like silly questions on the surface. A certain level of occlusion between the tracheal wall and the ETT is necessary for positive-pressure ventilation. But what level of occlusion is...

BACKGROUND Pneumonia is a common complication of hospitalisation in severely ill patients who need mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium programme for the surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS A prospective study (1 Jan 2012-30 June 2014) was conducted in the 20-bed ICU. ...

Introduction CPAP Versus Noninvasive Ventilation Patient Selection COPD Exacerbation Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Post-Extubation Immunocompromised Patients ARDS Acute Asthma Community-Acquired Pneumonia Do Not Intubate or Do Not Resuscitate Pre-oxygenation Before Intubation Post-Operative Respiratory Failure Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome Bronchoscopy When to Start, When to Stop, When to Tran...

We summarize all original research in the field of respirology and critical care published in 2003 and 2004 in Critical Care. Articles were grouped into the following categories to facilitate a rapid overview: pathophysiology, therapeutic approaches, and outcome in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome; hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension; mechanical ventilation; liberat...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a pulmonary infection that occurs more than 48 hours after patients have been intubated and received mechanical ventilation. The incidence of VAP ranges from 6 to 52% and can reach 76% in some specific settings [1]. The incidence depends on several factors, the duration of mechanical ventilation, reintubation, supine position, advanced age and altered co...

Pneumonia complicates hospitalization in 0.5 to 2.0% of patients and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) include mechanical ventilation for > 48 h, residence in an ICU, duration of ICU or hospital stay, severity of underlying illness, and presence of comorbidities. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enteroba...