Management and outcomes
- Management: The ATS/IDSA 2016 guidelines recommend a 7-day course of antimicrobial therapy for patients with VAP . The choice of antibiotic for definitive therapy should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results, especially in cases of VAP due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Outcomes: VAP is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and extended ICU stays. The estimated attributable mortality of VAP is around 10%, with higher mortality rates observed in surgical ICU patients and those with mid-range severity scores at admission
In conclusion, VAP is a significant clinical problem in the ICU, associated with substantial morbidity, a two-fold mortality rate, and excess costs. Strategies that effectively prevent VAP are urgently needed