Resolution of Clinical Signs of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Trauma Patients

Authors

Kathryn A. Connor, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow
Joseph M. Swanson
Bradley A. Boucher
G. Christopher Wood

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

4-2010

Abstract

Objectives: The ATS/IDSA Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) guidelines suggest that clinical improvement of VAP should be apparent within 3–6 days. This study evaluated resolution of clinical signs of VAP in trauma patients after diagnosis.

Methods: Critically injured adults admitted to the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) from June 1, 2006, to December 31, 2007, and subsequently given a diagnosis of VAP were retrospectively assessed. Clinical signs, including derangements of maximum temperature (Tmax), white blood cell (WBC) count, and PaO2/FiO2, were evaluated on days 1–16 after VAP diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise stated. Clinical parameters after VAP were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA with the Tukey test for multiple comparisons.

Results: A total of 82 patients were identified. Data for the 34 patients without concurrent infections are presented. Demographic data include: Age 46 ± 17 years; 71% men; 94% blunt trauma; median (IQR) Injury Severity Score 29.5 (24–38); duration of mechanical ventilation 33 ± 27 days; ICU length of stay (LOS) 39 ± 25 days; hospital LOS 53 ± 33 days. Clinical signs following VAP diagnosis: Tmax (°F): Day 1=101.8 ± 1.3, Day 3=101.1 ± 1.1, Day 6=101.1 ± 1.4, Day 16=100.1 ± 3. Compared to Day 1, there was a significant reduction in Tmax at days 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 (p<0.05 for all). WBC count (cells per microliter): day 1 = 12.9 ± 5, day 3 = 13.7 ± 5, day 6 = 14.4 ± 5, and day 16 = 13.8 ± 6. There was no significant difference in WBC on days 1–16 (p=0.42). PaO2/FiO2: day 1 = 232 ± 108, day 3 = 200 ± 87, day 6 = 218 ± 104, day 16 = 246 ± 126. Differences in PaO2/FiO2 on days 1–16 did not reach statistical significance (p=0.06).

Conclusion: Improvement of clinical parameters after a VAP diagnosis is delayed in trauma patients. Alternative methods for determining resolution should be investigated. Published in To be published in Critical Care Medicine’s December 2009 supplement.

Comments

Presented at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Practice and Research Forum, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 2010.

Publication Information

Connor, Kathryn A.; Swanson, Joseph M.; Boucher, Bradley A.; and Wood, G. Christopher, "Resolution of Clinical Signs of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Trauma Patients" (2010). Pharmacy Faculty/Staff Publications. Paper 35.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/pharmacy_facpub/35

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