title: Previous endotracheal aspirate allows guiding the initial treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Any delay in adequate antibiotic treatment compromises the outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the diagnosis and optimal treatment of VAP remain a challenge for intensivists. We assessed the potential impact of using results of routine weekly endotracheal aspirate (EA) cultures to guide initial antibiotic treatment for VAP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 113 VAP episodes and evaluated the concordance between the latest EA and the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL). We stratified patients into three groups: concordant EA-BAL (concordant group), discordant EA-BAL (discordant group) and EA not performed group. We then compared the adequacy of the antibiotic prescribed initially and outcomes between the three groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety assessable EA-BAL samples were evaluated. When guided by EA, the initial antibiotic regimen was adequate in 85% of situations, a proportion significantly superior (P < 0.05) to that resulting from application of the ATS guidelines (73%). When clinicians did not have a pre-VAP EA to guide their treatment (EA not performed group), only 61% of treatments were adequate. No significant difference was observed between the three groups for length of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, nonpulmonary nosocomial infections and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once-a-week routine quantitative EA cultures may help to improve the adequacy of empiric antibiotic therapy for VAP.
authors: Intensive Care Unit, Department of Critical Care and Anesthesiology, DAR B CHU de Montpellier, Hôpital Saint Eloi, 80 Avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
authors: Boris
authors: B
authors: Jung
authors: Mustapha
authors: M
authors: Sebbane
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Chanques
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Courouble
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Verzilli
authors: Pierre-François
authors: PF
authors: Perrigault
authors: Helene
authors: H
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: Jean-Jacques
authors: JJ
authors: Eledjam
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Jaber
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents