Ventilator-associated events in children: A multicentre prospective cohort study

Yolanda Peña-López1, Magda Campins-Martí2, Maria Slöcker-Barrio3

  • 1Paediatric Critical Care Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Research/Epidemiology in Pneumonia & Sepsis (CRIPS), Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.

Insights

A new definition for paediatric ventilator-associated events (VAE) using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is more effective for surveillance. This PEEP-based paediatric VAE definition independently predicts longer mechanical ventilation and paediatric intensive care unit stays.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Disease Surveillance

Background:

  • The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded surveillance from ventilator-associated pneumonia to ventilator-associated events (VAE).
  • A validated paediatric definition for VAE (PaedVAE) is lacking.
  • This study addresses the need for accurate PaedVAE criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the incidence and patient outcome impact of adult and two paediatric VAE criteria.
  • To evaluate VAE/PaedVAE as factors associated with increased mechanical ventilation (MV) and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay.

Main Methods:

  • Multicentre observational prospective cohort study in 15 Spanish PICUs.
  • VAE assessed using 2013/2015 CDC classification.
  • PaedVAE assessed using CDC definition based on mean airway pressure (MAP-PaedVAE) versus a paediatric definition based on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP-PaedVAE).
  • Included children undergoing MV ≥ 48 hours.

Main Results:

  • Analyzed 3626 ventilator-days in 391 patients.
  • Incidence rates: VAE (8.55), MAP-PaedVAE (5.24), PEEP-PaedVAE (20.96) per 1000 ventilator-days.
  • All definitions associated with increased MV and PICU stay in univariate analysis.
  • Multivariate analysis: PEEP-PaedVAE independently associated with MV > 7 days (OR 4.86) and PICU stay > 10 days (OR 3.49).

Conclusions:

  • A VAE definition based on slight PEEP increases is preferred for VAE surveillance in children.
  • The PEEP-PaedVAE definition demonstrates independent association with prolonged MV and PICU stay.
  • This finding supports the utility of the PEEP-PaedVAE definition for quality improvement initiatives.
Abstract

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