Epidemiology and Outcome of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Among Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Epidemiology and Outcome of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Among Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and to identify the prognostic factors of VAP among Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CoViD-19) patients. We hypothesized that CoViD-19 serves as a high risk factor for the development of VAP and it affects clinical outcome measures negatively.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CoViD-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became a pandemic affecting thousands of individuals worldwide. A considerable proportion of CoViD-19 patients require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), although limited data are available on their clinical characteristics and course. The results of retrospective studies indicate older age, presence of comorbidies and secondary infections as predictors of mortality among this population. Further evaluation regarding ICU clinical course and predictors of mortality is needed.

The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for development of VAP and to identify the prognostic factors of VAP among CoViD-19 patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Critically ill individuals diagnosed with PCR confirmed CoViD-19 disease
• Started mechanical ventilation for > 48 hours
• Informed consent signed by the patient or authorised representative

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participation in an interventional trial aiming nosocomial infections
• refused informed consent