title: Therapy of ventilator-associated pneumonia. A patient-based approach based on the ten rules of "The Tarragona Strategy".
abstract: Therapy of ventilator-associated pneumonia should be a patient-based approach focusing on some key features are listed here: early initial therapy should be based on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Empirical treatment may be targeted after direct staining and should be modified according to good-quality quantitative microbiological findings, but should never be withdrawn in presence of negative direct staining or delayed until microbiological results are available. Courses of therapy should be given at high doses according to pharmacodynamic and tissue penetration properties. Prolonging antibiotic treatment does not prevent recurrences. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus should be expected in comatose patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus should not be expected in patients without previous antibiotic coverage. Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be covered with combination therapy. Antifungal therapy, even when Candida spp is isolated in significant concentrations, is not recommended for intubated nonneutropenic patients. Vancomycin, given at the standard doses and route of administration for the treatment of VAP caused by Gram-positive pathogens, is associated with poor outcomes. The choice of initial antibiotic should be based on the patient's previous antibiotic exposure and comorbidities, and local antibiotic susceptibility patterns, which should be updated regularly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Joan XXIII University Hospital, University Rovira and Virgili, C/ Doctor Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain. jrc@hjxxiii. scs. es.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandiumenge
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Joan XXIII University Hospital, University Rovira and Virgili, C/ Doctor Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Emili
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Joan XXIII University Hospital, University Rovira and Virgili, C/ Doctor Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodí
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Joan XXIII University Hospital, University Rovira and Virgili, C/ Doctor Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rello
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015897:Comorbidity; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003663:Decision Trees; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D036262:Empirical Research; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018579:Patient Selection; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents