[Ventilator-associated pneumonia and multiresistant bacteria]

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia remains the most serious nosocomial infection in critically ill patients. Providing appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly is crucial for successful treatment; whereas the diagnostic approach seems to play a minor role. The empirical antibiotic therapy should be guided by the risk for infections due to multiresistant bacteria. For patients at risk a combination therapy, considering local resistance data and formerly applied antibiotic substances, is recommended. Reevaluation and deescalation of antibiotic therapy based on microbiological culture results and discontinuation of antimicrobial treatment after one week is essential for the control of broadspectrum antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.