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...

1. Pneumatikos IA, Dragoumanis CK, Bouros DE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia or endotracheal tube-associated pneumonia? An approach to the pathogenesis and preventive strategies emphasizing the importance of endotracheal tube. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2009; 110:673–80 2. Berra L, Curto F, Li Bassi G, Laquerriere P, Baccarelli A, Kolobow T: Antibacterial-coated tracheal tubes cleaned with the Mucus Shave...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia occurring in a patient after intubation with an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy tube lasting for 48 hours or more. It is also one of the most common and fatal infections of patients in ICUs. The diagnostic process in VAP is still underestimated and precise criteria for diagnosis are inconsistent. Delayed diagnosis and subsequent de...

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a nosocomial lower respiratory tract infection that ensues in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. The reported incidence of VAP varies between 9% and 68% with a mortality ranging between 33% and 71%. Two key factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of VAP: bacterial colonization of the upper digestive-respiratory tract and aspira...

Hospital acquired or nosocomial infections continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The critically ill patient is at particular risk of developing intensive care unit acquired infection, with the lungs being especially vulnerable. Nosocomial bacterial pneumonia occurring after two days of mechanical ventilation is referred to as ventilator associated pneumonia, and is the m...

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common complication in intensive care units, occurring in 9% to 24% of patients intubated for longer than 48 hours. Because of this large disease burden and the resultant attributable morbidity and mortality, there is great interest in accurately diagnosing, treating, and preventing this complication. More severely ill patients tend to develop ventilator-ass...