Sepsis and longer vasopressor support, risk factors for Ventilator Associated Events: Study

Generally, Invasive Mechanical ventilation (IMV) is commonly used as life support for severely ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients

So, ventilator-associated respiratory infections (VARIs) may be showcased either as ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

There is limited data available in India regarding the clinical course and

outcome in mechanically ventilated critically ill intensive care unit

(ICU) patients, using the new VAE surveillance definition. The

most crucial clinical complications linked with long-term mechanical ventilation are longer lengths of hospital stay, significant morbidity, increased death rates, more antibiotic consumption and

increased healthcare costs. The majority of the data from developing countries including India include respiratory complications as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Also, there are many studies on risk factors and strategies to prevent VAP, however, their applicability to Ventilator-Associated Events (VAE) in Indian settings is still not known clearly.

A study was conducted by a group of researchers from Lucknow, India, to recognize the modifiable risk factors associated with VAE. While they also aimed at investigating the course of ICU and the impact of VAE on patient outcomes.

The researchers conducted a prospective, observational single-center cohort study. They selected a total of 247 patients on mechanical ventilation for 4 calendar days at a 20-bed ICU between January 2018 to June 2019.

The results of the study are as follows:

· VAE occurred in 59 episodes, while the Ventilator Utilization Ratio (VUR) was 0.57.

· The median time of VAE onset was 6 days, with sepsis being the main cause for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

· Cumulative fluid balance ≥2 l and greater number of days with vasopressor support within 7 days of initiating IMV were significant risk factors for acquiring VAE.

· VAE cases were ventilated for significantly more days, had longer days of ICU stay and higher hospital mortality.

· Klebsiella pneumonia was the most common isolate and 32.1% were colistin-resistant.

Thus, the researchers concluded that through their study cohort they were able to identify potentially modifiable risk factors associated with ventilator associated events VAEs. Sepsis was the most common reason for initiating patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).Klebsiella pneumonia was the most common isolate and 32.1% were colistin-resistant.

They can be potential targets for intervention including conservative fluid management. So, prospective intervention studies are required to investigate whether strategies targeting these risk factors can reduce VAE rates and improve patient outcome.

Reference:

A study titled, "Evaluation of ventilator-associated events in critically ill patients with

invasive mechanical ventilation: A prospective cohort study at a resource-limited setting in Northern India" by Patnaik R et. al published in Journal of Critical Care

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2021.03.001