When the four trials [ 14, 60, 64, 66] that reported ventilator days were aggregated, antioxidants significantly decreased the duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD = -0.67, 95% CI -1.22 to -0.13, P = 0.02, see Figure 3).
One hundred and four (46%) and 20 (9%) patients reported ventilator associated pneumonia and cannula infection, respectively, with no impact on 6-month survival.
Unfortunately, the studies do not report ventilator settings, but, given the publication years (1967 1972), it is unlikely that low tidal volumes and high PEEP levels according to current guidelines were used.
Studies of patients admitted to the ICU frequently report ventilator-free days as an outcome.
Where ventilator-free days were reported, ventilation time was derived using the period over which ventilator-free time was measured.
ICU, intensive care unit; MV, mechanical ventilation; NR, not reported; VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia.
It has been reported that ventilator-associated pneumonia is affecting more than 30%% of those susceptible patients and increasing morbidity, mortality, length of ICU stay and costs [12 15].
It has been reported that ventilator-associated pneumonia is affecting more than 30%% of those susceptible patients and increasing morbidity, mortality, length of ICU stay and costs [ 12– 15].
For attributable mortality, ICU admission instead of time of diagnosis would be better, as recently reported for ventilator-associated pneumonia [ 13].
CDC, Centers for Disease Control CPISS, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score; CXR, chest x-ray; EMG, electromyography NG, nasogastric; NJ, nasojejunal; ND, nasoduodenal; NR, not reported; VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia; APACHE, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation; TBI, traumatic brain injury; WBC, white blood cell.
CI: confidence interval; ICU: intensive care unit; NR: not reported; VAP: ventilator-associated pneumonia; The data from these epidemiologic studies suggest that there is a potential association between sedation and infection.
