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Predictive factors for septic shock in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia

Muge Aydogdu1, Gul Gursel

  • 1Department of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Gazi University School of Medicine, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey. maydogdu@gazi.edu.tr

Southern Medical Journal
|November 14, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can lead to septic shock. Advanced age, low lymphocyte count, high blood glucose, and higher infection scores predict septic shock in VAP patients.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common ICU infection.
  • Nearly 50% of VAP patients develop septic shock, a key mortality predictor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Identify predictors of septic shock in VAP patients receiving antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 89 patients with confirmed VAP and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
  • Patients were grouped based on septic shock development.
  • Clinical, hematological, biochemical, and microbiological data were compared.

Main Results:

  • 37% of VAP patients developed septic shock.
  • Independent predictors for septic shock included advanced age (OR 1.07), lymphocytopenia (OR 7.48), high blood glucose >120 mg/dL (OR 4.75), and increased CPIS (OR 1.64).

Conclusions:

  • Lymphocytopenia, elevated blood glucose, increasing age, and CPIS can predict septic shock in VAP.
  • Further large randomized controlled studies are required for confirmation.

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