Nosocomial Pneumonia in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Jonathon Fanning, Mauro Panigada, Gianluigi Li Bassi. Semin. Respir. Crit. Care Med. DOI 10.1055/s-0042-1749448

Abstract: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication occurring in critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated and is the leading cause of nosocomial infection-related death. Etiologic agents for VAP widely differ based on the population of intensive care unit patients, duration of hospital stay, and prior antimicrobial therapy. VAP due to multidrug-resistant pathogens is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality, likely due to delays in appropriate antimicrobial treatment. International guidelines are currently available to guide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.