Transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient with bacterial pneumonia

Transtracheal aspiration was performed in 32 elderly hypoxic patients with bacterial pneumonia. No morbidity or mortality was associated with the procedure. Gram stains of the transtracheal aspirate provided rapid, accurate delineation of the etiologic pneumonic agent, and were particularly valuable in indicating mixed bacterial infections. These included 5 cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae plus Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia. The safety and value of transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient are discussed.