Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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Meta Analysis
Frequency and predictors of ventilator-associated pneumonia recurrence: a meta-analysis.
Large clinical series focusing on the risk factors associated with recurrence after the onset of an initial episode of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) produced inconsistent results. A meta-analysis would be helpful to shed light on the issue. Our objective was to estimate the frequency of VAP recurrence and to identify risk factors associated with it. ⋯ There was also evidence, albeit inconsistent, that severity of illness at intensive care unit admission was associated with VAP recurrence. Recurrence involves almost one in four cases of VAP and is associated with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock, but not with first-episode causative pathogens. Recognition of these predictors may permit the timely implementation of measures to prevent recurrence of VAP.