Does ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis need antibiotic treatment?
It is difficult to define ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). The most accepted definition includes fever (temperature > 38 degrees C), new or increased sputum production, a microbiologically positive respiratory sample with counts above the accepted thresholds and absence of pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray. Although we have no doubt that this pathologic process exists, the main controversy lies on whether this entity has any impact on the outcome and, thus, a specific therapeutic approach is suitable. We will discuss the strengths and drawbacks of the article on this topic published in this issue by Nseir et al.
Torres
Antonio
A
Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. atorres@clinic.ub.es
Valencia
Mauricio
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents