1. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
Dr. Hany V. Zaki
Lecturer of Anaesthesia and ICU Department
Ain Shams University

2. Introduction
Most patients who receive mechanical Ventilatory support for a protracted period develop microbial colonisation of the airway
A subset of these patients develops invasive infection requiring antibiotics
VAP is the commonest ICU acquired infection

3. Definition
Pulmonary infection acquired in hospital, at least 48 hours after intubation and ventilation.
Traditional clinical features (pyrexia, leucocytosis, pulmonary infiltrates on CXR, positive endobronchial sputum culture) may be inadequate.

4. Incidence and Risk Factors
In 2002, an estimated 250,000 healthcare-associated pneumonias developed in U.S. hospitals and 36,000 of these were associated with deaths.
For the year 2010, NHSN facilities reported more than 3,525 VAPs and the incidence for various types of hospital units ranged from per 1,000 ventilator days
(Dudeck MA, Horan TC, et. al. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Report, Data Summary for 2010)
Risk of VAP peaks at day 5. After 15 days the incidence plateaus and then declines - chronically ventilated patients have low rates of VAP
How do you diagnose VAP on top of ARDS? Similar clinical features. Post mortem studies show histologically proven VAP in 58% of ARDS patients.

5. Mortality
Mortality ranges from 20 to 41%, depending on infecting organism, antecedent antimicrobial therapy, and underlying disease(s)

6. COST OF VAP
Strikingly, VAP adds an estimated cost of $40,000 to a typical hospital admission

7. Risk Factors:
Duration of ventilation. 3% per day in first week, 2% per day in second, 1% per day after
Severity of illness: high APACHE II scores (>16) correlate with risk of VAP
Head injury or other cause of coma
Burns and trauma
Acute of chronic respiratory condition, ARDS
Male sex and increasing age

8. Early vs Late
Early onset pneumonia occurs during the first four days of hospitalization and is often caused by Moraxella catarrhalis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae.
Late onset pneumonia are frequently gram negative bacilli or S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Viruses (e.g., Influenza A and B or Respiratory Syncytial Virus), yeasts, fungi, legionellae, and Pneumocystis carinii.

9. VAP Etiology Staphylococcus aureus resistant organisms
Most are bacterial pathogens, with Gram negative bacilli common
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Proteus
Acinetobacter
Staphylococcus aureus
Early VAP associated with non-multi-antibiotic-
resistant organisms
Late VAP associated with antibiotic-resistant organism
Early VAP (within 96 hours) is associated with non-multi-antibiotic-resistant organisms:
E coli
Klebsiella
Proteus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Hemophylus influenza
Oxacillin sensitive Staphlococcus aureus
Late VAP associated with antibiotic-resistant organisms:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Oxacillin resistance Staphaerius and Acinetobacter

15. VAP Prevention

16. Prevention of Aspiration
Preventive measures for VAP
General measures
- Universal Precautions and Hygiene
- Feeding
Kinetic therapy
- Stress ulcer and DVT prophylaxis
- Team Approach
Prevention of Aspiration
- Head up
- Cuff pressure of ETT
- Avoid circuit manipulation
- Drainage of secretions
Decontamination
- Oral decontamination
- GI decontamination
- Silver ETT
- Early weaning protocol
- Daily sedation brakes
Early Extubation

17. Prevention of Aspiration
Prevention of VAP
Preventive measures for VAP
General measures
- Universal Precautions and Hygiene
- Feeding
- Kinetic therapy
-Stress ulcer prophylaxis
- Team Approach
Prevention of Aspiration
- Head up
- Cuff pressure of ETT
- Avoid circuit manipulation
- Drainage of secretions
Decontamination
- Oral decontamination
- GI decontamination
- Silver ETT
- Early weaning protocol
- Daily sedation brakes
Early Extubation

18. Hand washing What role does handwashing play in nosocomial pneumonias?
cross colonization plays a major role in the spread of nosocomial pathogens.
Gram negative bacilli are ubiquitous and often present in high concentrations in critically ill patients, the hospital environment and on the hands of hospital personnel. Especially problematic in the intubated patient is the ventilator tubing - high colony counts exist near the mouth piece.
Washing hands before and after every patient contact is a very effective strategy to prevent cross contamination. Gloves should be worn by person’s with open lesions or dermatitis.
Despite the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta’s recommendation to wash hands after every patient contact, most studies on hand washing find that <50% of the time that HCW follow this recommendation.

19. Wash hands or use an alcohol-based waterless antiseptic agent before and after suctioning, touching ventilator equipment, and/or coming into contact with respiratory secretions.
The CDC recommends that hand washing occur before and after suctioning, whenever ventilator equipment is touched and/or if staff come in contact with respiratory secretions.
CDC Guideline for Prevention of Healthcare Associated Pneumonias 2004
AACN Practice Alert for VAP, 2007

20. Entral Feeding and VAP
Enteral feeding may predispose to aspiration of gastric contents and the subsequent development of VAP.
It has been suggested that placement of a post-pyloric feeding tube might reduce the risk of aspiration and VAP.
A meta-analysis of seven studies found that post-pyloric feeding showed a trend toward lower incidence of VAP and mortality than gastric feeding. however, the differences were not statistically significant

21. The timing of initiation of enteral feeding has also been reported to be associated with the development of VAP. In a large retrospective multicenter analysis, early feeding (i.e., within 48 hours of onset of mechanical ventilation) was found to be associated with an increased risk of VAP, although ICU and hospital mortality were decreased in the early feeding group

22. Probiotics and VAP
Probiotics are commercially available preparations of live non-pathogenic microorganisms administered to improve microbial balance resulting in health benefits for the host.
Administration of probiotics has been advocated as a means of preventing a variety of infections including VAP in the ICU.

23. The potential beneficial effect of probiotics in prevention of VAP may be in their competition with VAP-producing microorganisms in the oropharynx and stomach.
In addition, it has been suggested that the benefits of probiotics might be explained by their immuno- modulatory properties.
Administration of probiotics was also found to be beneficial in reducing length of stay in the ICU and colonization of the respiratory tract by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

24. Stress ulcer and VAP
The use of acid-suppressive medications and the subsequent increase in gastric pH allows bacterial growth in the stomach, increasing the risk of colonization in case of aspiration of gastric contents.
A cohort study of more than 60,000 patients showed an increased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia when acid-suppressive medications were used

25. However, no definitive recommendation can be provided about the use of acid-suppressive medications in relation to VAP in the ICU setting, and stress-ulcer prophylaxis is still suggested as part of the bundle treatments for VAP prevention published by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Herzig SJ, Howell MD, Ngo LH, Marcantonio ER: Acid-suppressive medication use and the risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia.
JAMA 2009, 301:

26. Kinetic therapy
Immobility of the intubated critically ill patient may impair mucociliary clearance
Mechanical rotation of patients with 40° turns (kinetic therapy) may improve pulmonary function more than the improvement in function achieved via standard care (i.e., turning patients every 2 hours). Kinetic therapy is believed to improve movement of secretions and to avoid the accumulation of mucus in dependent lung zone
Nakagawa NK, Franchini ML, Driusso P, de Oliveira LR, Saldiva PH, Lorenzi-Filho G: Mucociliary clearance is impaired in acutely ill patients. Chest 2005, 128:

28. Team Approach
The prevention of VAP is a multidisciplinary team approach that should involve all health care givers from doctors, nurses, assistants, porters, housekeeping as all should act together with the same protocol to decrease the incidence of VAP

29. Prevention of Aspiration
Prevention of VAP
Preventive measures for VAP
General measures
- Universal Precautions and Hygiene
- Feeding
- Kinetic therapy
- Stress ulcer prophylaxis
- Team Approach
Prevention of Aspiration
- Head up
- Cuff pressure of ETT
- Avoid circuit manipulation
- Drainage of secretions
Decontamination
- Oral decontamination
- GI decontamination
- Silver ETT
- Early weaning protocol
- Daily sedation brakes
Early Extubation

30. Oral Care
Role of oral care, colonization of the oropharynx, and VAP unclear – dental plaque may be involved as a reservoir
Limited research on impact of rigorous oral care to alter VAP rates
Surveys indicate most nurses use foam swabs rather than toothbrushes in intubated patients
Oral chlorhexidine washes decrease the incidence of VAP
Role of oral care, colonization of the oropharynx, and VAP unclear – dental plaque may be involved as a reservoir
Limited research on impact of rigorous oral care to impact VAP rates.
Only 1 study has shown a decrease in VAP with the use of an oral chlorhexadine rinse, and that was done in preop CS patients. Too early to know if similar results will be obtained in other patients.
Surveys indicate most nurses use foam swabs rather than toothbrushes in intubated patients
CDC Guideline for Prevention of Healthcare Associated Pneumonias 2004
Grap M. Amer J of Critical Care 2003;12:

31. Silver ETT
Coating the endotracheal tube with silver is theoretically attractive because silver has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in vitro, reduces bacterial adhesion to devices in
A silver-coated tube has been developed with silver ions microdispersed in a proprietary polymer on both the inner and outer lumen, permitting ion migration to the tube surface to provide a sustained antimicrobial effect.
The polymer may add to the antimicrobial activity of silver by blocking bacterial adhesion to the endotracheal tube

32. However, despite numerous studies of various such interventions, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base strong recommendations, and important safety concerns remain regarding the use of some devices. Most importantly cost effectiveness data are lacking for modified ETTs designed to prevent VAP
Respir Care 2010;55(8):1046 –1055. © 2010

33. Selective Digestive Decontamination
VAP often have an endogenous source of infection. Colonisation of the digestive tract and the oropharynx correlates with development of VAP
SDD = Selectively eliminating potentially pathogenic organisms (not normal anaerobic flora) in the digestive tract and oropharynx with the aim of decreasing the incidence of VAP and it’s associated mortality

34. SDD usually involves: Potential benefits: Potential problems:
Topical application of non absorbable agents (such as polymyxin B, tobramycin and amphotericin B) that have activity against G negative organisms and fungi.
Initial use of broad spectrum IV antibiotics for 3-4 days, such as cefotazime.
Potential benefits:
Decreased VAP, improved mortality, less time in ITU
Potential problems:
Increased resistant organisms, cost, side effects.

35. Prevention of Aspiration
Prevention of VAP
Preventive measures for VAP
General measures
- Universal Precautions and Hygiene
- Feeding
- Kinetic Therapy
- Stress ulcer and DVT prophylaxis
- Team Approach
Prevention of Aspiration
- Head up
- Cuff pressure of ETT
- Avoid circuit manipulation
- Drainage of secretions
Decontamination
- Oral decontamination
- GI decontamination
- Silver ETT
Early Extubation
- Early weaning protocol
- Daily sedation brakes

36. HOB Elevation
HOB at 30-45º
Positioning HOB in an elevated angle, if not medically contraindicated, is very important.
Studies have shown, though, that even when no contraindication to HOB elevation is present, the rate of backrest elevation is low.
CDC Guideline for Prevention of Healthcare Associated Pneumonias 2004 ATS / IDSA Guidelines for VAP 2005

37. Primary Route of Bacterial Entry into Lower Respiratory Tract
Micro or macro aspiration of
oropharyngeal pathogens
Leakage of secretions
containing bacteria around
the ET cuff

38. Cuff pressure and VAP
Cuff pressures of less than 20 cm H2O represent a modifiable risk factor for VAP. Usually cuff pressure is measured intermittently with the use of a manometer.
The target cuff pressure level was cm H2O

40. Continuous Removal of Subglottic Secretions
Use an ET tube with continuous suction through a dorsal lumen above the cuff to prevent drainage accumulation.
ET tubes with an additional lumen for the removal of subglottic secretions have been found to decrease VAP in some studies by as much as 20 to 40%
Extra cost of the tubes will more than be paid for by the decrease in VAP costs.
CDC Guideline for Prevention of Healthcare Associated Pneumonias 2004 ATS / IDSA Guidelines for VAP 2005

42. Circuit manipulation and VAP
Warm expired air condenses in ventilator tubing. Microbial growth occurs rapidly in the pooled condensate. Disconnection of the circuit and manipulation to drain the tubing can cause the contaminated condensate to dump directly into the lungs.

43. Condensation traps permit drainage without opening the circuit, preventing both microbial dump and contamination from the external environment.
Opening the circuit for other procedures should be avoided. Accumulation of condensate can also be reduced by heat-moisture exchanger (HME).
However, care must be taken not to allow patient secretions to dry, which can cause endotrachael and tracheostomy tube blockage

45. Early extubation
The risk of developing VAP increases with prolonged intubation, and re-intubation is a known risk factor
Since the ETT is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of VAP, many clinicians avoid intubation when possible.

46. The early use of NIV with the aim of avoiding intubation may be worth considering, particularly in fragile patients.
Although a reduction in VAP incidence has not been demonstrated, the early use of CPAP reduced the need for ICU admission and ventilatory support
Squadrone V, Massaia M, Bruno B: Early CPAP prevents evolution of acute lung injury in patients with hematologic malignancy. Intensive Care Med 2010, 36:

47. Reduced administration of sedatives is associated with shorter ICU stays and fewer days of intubation. Although no data are currently available to prove that VAP occurrence is decreased by reduced sedative administration, daily suspension of sedative drugs has been suggested as a preventive measure.
Blackwood B, Alderdice F, Burns KE, Cardwell CR, Lavery G, O'Halloran P: Protocolized versus non-protocolized weaning for reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill adult patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010, 12:CD006904

49. Coppadoro A. , Bittner E and Berra L
Coppadoro A *, Bittner E and Berra L. Novel preventive strategies for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Critical Care 2012, 16:210
However, only a few have been demonstrated to be effective, and many others still need evaluation in large randomized clinical trials before definitive recommendations can be made.
Among others, modifications to the ETT (e.g., subglottic secretion drainage systems, antimicrobial coating, alternative cuff shapes and materials), continuous maintenance of proper cuff inflating pressures, ETT secretion removal, patient positioning in the lateral horizontal position, kinetic therapy, and administration of probiotics are measures worthy of consideration and further study in the ongoing battle to reduce the rates of VAP.