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Updated: May 30, 2026
04:32
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Attributable mortality of ventilator-associated pneumonia
Jean-François Timsit1, Jean-Ralph Zahar, Sylvie Chevret
1EA 11, Albert Bonniot Institute U823, Joseph Fourier University, Paris, France. jftimsit@chu-grenoble.fr
Current Opinion in Critical Care
|August 17, 2011
Summary
The attributable mortality of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is approximately 6%. Accurate diagnostics and advanced statistical models are crucial for precise estimation, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) poses a significant threat to critically ill patients.
- Estimating the mortality directly caused by VAP is complex and subject to wide variations in reported figures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the mortality attributable to VAP.
- To identify and discuss the factors contributing to the wide range of reported VAP mortality estimates.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on VAP attributable mortality.
- Analysis of sources of variation including VAP definitions, patient case-mix, illness severity, and statistical methodologies.
- Evaluation of advanced survival models accounting for time dependence and competing risks.
Main Results:
- Reported estimates for VAP attributable mortality range from 0% to 50%.
- Variations are influenced by inaccurate VAP definitions, patient case-mix (lower in trauma patients), intermediate underlying illness severity, and episode characteristics.
- Inappropriate statistical models, leading to biases like lead-time bias, significantly affect estimates.
- Newer survival models offer less biased estimations compared to traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- The attributable mortality of VAP is estimated to be around 6%.
- Accurate diagnostic methods are essential for reliable mortality estimation.
- Traditional statistical models are inadequate; advanced models should be adopted.
- Targeted prevention strategies for patients with intermediate severity may yield the greatest benefits.
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