Identification of patients at highest risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia in the surgical intensive care unit

Ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) is a major problem for patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit mechanically ventilated. Recently, we have identified both clinical and immunologic factors associated with the development of VAP. The clinical risk factors are associated with the severity of the injury and the length of mechanical ventilation. The immunologic risk factors are associated with the local lung inflammatory response that is unchecked and affects local cell function. The combination of the severity of injury, the length of mechanical ventilation, and the failure to “auto-regulate” the lung response places the host at risk of VAP. In the next millennium, if we are to make significant advances in the management of VAP, we will need to understand the pathophysiology of the disease process. Then we can develop preventive strategies that will reduce the morbidity and the associated cost of VAP.