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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Relationship between inhaled β₂-agonists and ventilator-associated pneumonia: a cohort study
Emmanuelle Jaillette1, Saad Nseir
1Intensive Care Unit, CHU de Lille, Lille, France.
Objective:
To determine the impact of aerosolized bronchodilators on ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
A 30-bed medical and surgical intensive care unit.
Methods:
All intubated patients requiring mechanical ventilation for >48 hrs were eligible during a 13-month period. Nebulized β2-agonists were administered at the intensive care unit physician's discretion. Ventilator-associated pneumonia definition included clinical and quantitative microbiological criteria. Only first ventilator-associated pneumonia episodes were analyzed. Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. The influence of inhaled β2-agonists on ventilator-associated pneumonia occurrence was also adjusted for confounding factors using Cox's proportional-hazards model.
Results:
Ventilator-associated pneumonia was diagnosed in 137 (31%) of the 439 enrolled patients. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was early-onset in 14 (10%) patients. The incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was 20 per 1,000 ventilator days. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was polymicrobial in 16 (11%) patients, and related to multidrug-resistant bacteria in 42 (28%) patients. Most cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia were caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Inhaled β2-agonists were significantly more frequently used in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia compared with those without ventilator-associated pneumonia (49% vs. 34%, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.9 [1.2-2.8], p = .003). Multivariate analysis identified aerosolized β2-agonists (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.7 [1.1-2.6], p = .012), Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at intensive care unit admission (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.01 [1.001-1.02] per point, p = .031), and red blood cell transfusion (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2 [1.3-3.1], p = .001) as independent risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Cox's proportional-hazards model also identified inhaled β2-agonists as a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.52 [1.06-2.19], p = .021).
Conclusion:
Use of aerosolized bronchodilators in intensive care unit mechanically ventilated patients is an independent risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Insights
Aerosolized bronchodilators increase the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients. This finding highlights potential risks associated with inhaled medications in mechanically ventilated individuals.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a significant complication in intensive care units.
- Aerosolized bronchodilators are commonly used in mechanically ventilated patients.
- The impact of these medications on VAP risk requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if aerosolized bronchodilators are a risk factor for developing ventilator-associated pneumonia.
- To identify independent risk factors for VAP in mechanically ventilated patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study in a 30-bed medical and surgical intensive care unit.
- Included intubated patients requiring mechanical ventilation for over 48 hours.
- Analyzed clinical and microbiological criteria for VAP, adjusting for confounding factors using Cox's proportional-hazards model.
Main Results:
- VAP occurred in 31% of 439 patients, with an incidence rate of 20 per 1,000 ventilator days.
- Inhaled beta2-agonists were used more frequently in patients with VAP (49% vs. 34%).
- Aerosolized beta2-agonists, SAPS II score, and RBC transfusion were independent risk factors for VAP.
Conclusions:
- The use of aerosolized bronchodilators is an independent risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
- Findings suggest a need to reconsider the routine use of inhaled bronchodilators in this patient population.
- Further research may explore alternative delivery methods or prophylactic strategies.
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