Background

In spite of increased use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and high-flow nasal oxygen in the intensive care unit (ICU), invasive mechanical ventilation is still used in a large proportion of critically ill patients [1]. Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections (VA-LRTI), including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) are the most common complications in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These infections are associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and cost [2, 3].

The diagnosis of these infections is based on chest X-ray, which is not specific in detecting new infiltrates in critically ill patients. Therefore, the CDC recommended using a new definition for ventilator-associated events (VAE), including infectious and other conditions. This definition includes only objective criteria and is perfectly reproducible [4]. However, recent studies and meta-analysis reported poor agreement between VAE, including ventilator-associated conditions (VAC), infection-related ventilator-associated complications (IVAC), or probable VAP (pVAP) [5,6,7]. Few studies evaluated the agreement between VAE and VA-LRTI, including VAP and VAT. Although VAP and VAT are both associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay, only VAP is associated with increased mortality rates [8]. Thus, it is probably important to distinguish VAP from VAT. In addition, the recent ATS/IDSA guidelines on VAP recommended not treating VAT patients with antimicrobial, based on the low quality of the available evidence [9]. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data to determine the agreement between VAE and VA-LRTI, including VAP and VAT. We also aimed to determine the impact of VAE on outcomes, including duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay, and mortality.

Patients and methods

Study design

This study was conducted in five 10-bed ICUs in Lille University Hospital, during a 2-year period (from January 1st, 2016 through December 31st, 2017). The IRB of the Lille University Hospital approved the study and waived informed consent. In accordance with the French law, and because of the retrospective observational design, written informed consent was not required. All patients hospitalized in one of the 5 ICUs and receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 5 days were eligible for this study. Patients who received mechanical ventilation for < 5 days, and those who received mechanical ventilation for > 24 h before ICU admission were excluded.

Definitions

VA-LRTI included VAP and VAT. VAP was defined as pneumonia diagnosed after 48 h of intubation and mechanical ventilation. The diagnostic criteria for VAP included a new infiltrate on chest X-ray associated with at least two of the following: body temperature ≥ 38.5 °C or < 36 °C; leukocyte count ≥ 10 × 109/L or < 1.5 × 109/L; and purulent tracheal aspirate or sputum. In addition, a microbiological confirmation was required for all patients (positive endotracheal aspirate culture ≥ 105 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL or positive bronchoalveolar lavage culture ≥ 104 cfu/mL) [9]. VAT was defined using the same criteria as for VAP, except the presence of new or progressive pulmonary infiltrate. VAE were diagnosed according to CDC definition (Additional file 1: Figure S1). VAE diagnosis was considered concordant with that of VAT or VAP, when these infections occurred within 2 days before or after the alteration of PEEP or FiO2 (Additional file 1: Figure S2).

VAP prevention and treatment

A VAP prevention strategy was routinely used during the study period. The ventilator circuit was not changed routinely. Sedation and weaning were based on a written protocol. A minimal positive end expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O was used in all patients. Oral cavity was cleaned with chlorhexidine thrice daily. Cuff pressure was measured and adjusted (25 cm H2O) by nurses thrice a day. Tracheal suctioning was routinely performed by nurses, using an open tracheal suction system. Patients remained in semi-recumbent position, and received enteral nutrition based on a written protocol.

Antibiotic treatment for patients with suspected VAP was based on ATS/IDSA guidelines [9]. Antibiotic treatment for other infections was based on written local guidelines adapted from international and national guidelines. Stress ulcer prophylaxis was not routinely used. Selective digestive decontamination was not used.

Data collection

Data related to VAP and VAT episodes were prospectively collected. Data regarding mechanical ventilation (PEEP and FiO2) were automatically imported every hour in the patient management software ICIP® (Philips Healthcare). Data from 2-h time slots were then retrospectively examined to determine the episodes of VAE. Other data such as body temperature, leukocytosis, antibiotic use, patient characteristics, aetiology of VAE episodes, duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, and mortality were collected retrospectively from patients’ computerized medical records.

Statistical analysis

The incidence rate and Cohen’s kappa coefficients were calculated on all episodes of VAE, VAP and VAT. The concordance between the diagnosis for VAC, IVAC, pVAP and that of VAP and VAT was determined by Cohen’s kappa statistic [10].

Only first episodes were taken to examine patients’ characteristics according to the occurrence of VAE, VAP and VAT. Qualitative variables were expressed in percentage. Because of non-normal distribution, quantitative variables were expressed in median, 25th and 75th percentiles. Chi squared test, or Fisher’s exact test; and Mann–Whitney U test, or Kruskal–Wallis test, were used to compare the qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. The difference was considered significant when p < 0.05. When a significant difference existed between patients with VAP, VAT, and those with no VA-LRTI, comparisons between different groups were performed: VAP vs VAT, VAP vs no VA-LRTI and VAT vs no VA-LRTI.

Multivariate analyses, using forward multiple logistic regression models, were performed to determine the impact of VA-LRTI and VAE on mortality, adjusting for age, SAPS II and immunosuppression.

Results

Out of the 1896 patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation, 837 (44%) were excluded (Fig. 1). Overall 1059 patients were included and received 15,029 days of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Flowchart. Data are number of patients. p, probable; IVAC, infectious ventilator-associated condition; VAC, ventilator-associated condition; VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia; VAT, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis

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Incidence of VAE and VA-LRTI

A total of 262 episodes of VAC (17.4 for 1000 ventilator-days), 268 VAP (17.8 for 1000 ventilator-days) and 127 VAT (8.5 for 1000 ventilator-days) were diagnosed and used for concordance analysis.

At least one episode of VAC, IVAC, and pVAP was diagnosed in 227 (21.4%), 123 (11.6%), and 62 (5.9%) patients, respectively. At least one episode of VAT or VAP were diagnosed in 99 (9.3%) and 215 (20.3%) patients, respectively. Among patients with VAT, 12 (9.4%) patients developed a subsequent VAP.

Correlation between VAE and VA-LRTI

A total of 6 VAT and 71 VAP were correlated with VAC (Fig. 2). Concordance (kappa statistic) between VAC and VAP, IVAC and VAP, pVAP and VAP were 0.03 (95% CI 0–0.11), 0.15 (95% CI 0.07–0.23), and 0.27 (95 CI 0.18–0.35), respectively (Table 1). Because of the small number of patients with VAE and VAT (n = 6), kappa statistic could not be calculated.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Consistency between VAE and VA–LRTI diagnoses. Data are number of VAE, VAP, or VAT. All episodes of VAE, VAP or VAT were taken into account. p, probable; IVAC, infectious ventilator-associated condition; VAC, ventilator-associated condition; VAE, ventilator-associated events; VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia; VAT, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis

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Table 1 Correlation between ventilator-associated events and ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections
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Clinical significance of VAE

The most common causes for VAE were VAP (n = 79, 30%), and atelectasis (n = 53, 20%). 2.6% of VAE were possibly related to VAT, and no aetiology was found for (63, 24%) episodes (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Clinical causes for VAE. APO, acute pulmonary oedema; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia; VAT, ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis

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Patient characteristics based on VA-LRTI

Characteristics of patients who presented VAT, VAP, or no VA-LRTI are presented in Table 2. A significant difference was found between the three groups regarding male gender, age, neurologic failure at ICU admission, and immunosuppression. Median duration of mechanical ventilation before VAT, and VAP occurrence was 9 (5, 13), and 7 (4, 13) days, respectively.

Table 2 Patient characteristics at ICU admission, based on the presence of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections
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Patient characteristics based on VAE

The characteristics of patients with VAC, IVAC, or pVAP, and those without these conditions are presented in Table 3. In VAC patients, as compared with those with no VAC, male gender, SOFA at ICU admission, and BMI > 30 were significantly higher. In IVAC patients, as compared with those with no IVAC, SOFA score at ICU admission, and BMI > 30 were significantly higher. In pVAP patients, as compared with those with no pVAP, age, medical category, and Charlson comorbidity index were significantly lower. Median duration of mechanical ventilation before VAC, and iVAC, and pVAP occurrence was 5 (3, 9), 5 (3, 9), and 5 (4, 10) days, respectively.

Table 3 Patient characteristics at ICU admission, based on the presence of ventilator-associated events
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Outcomes based on VA-LRTI

ICU mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay were significantly different between patients with VAP, VAT, or no VA-LRTI (Table 4). In patients with VAP, as compared with those with no VA-LRTI, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay were significantly higher. In patients with VAP, as compared with those with VAT, ICU mortality was significantly higher. In patients with VAT, as compared with those with no VA-LRTI, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay were higher, and ICU mortality was significantly lower. In multivariate analysis, the occurrence of VA-LRTI was not associated with mortality (Table 6).

Table 4 Outcomes of study patients based on the presence of ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections
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Outcomes based on VAE

Although duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay were significantly higher in patients with VAC, IVAC, or pVAC, as compared with those without these conditions, no significant difference in mortality was found between these different groups (Table 5). In multivariate analysis, the occurrence of VAE, or of VA-LRTI was not associated with mortality (Table 6).

Table 5 Outcomes of study patients based on the presence of ventilator-associated events
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Table 6 Risk factor for ICU mortality by multivariate analysis
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Discussion

Our results suggest that VAE are moderately correlated to VAP, and not correlated to VAT. VAE and VA-LRTI are all associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospital and ICU stay. VA-LRTI and VAE were not independently associated with mortality.

The strengths of our study include the large number of included patients (n = 1059) and ventilator days (n = 15,029), and the prospective evaluation of all VA-LRTI, including VAT. Previous studies reported similar findings regarding the correlation between VAE and VAP [6, 11, 12]. However, few studies prospectively evaluated the incidence of VAT in patients with VAE [11, 13]. Among the 262 diagnosed episodes of VAE, only 6 (2%) were possibly related to VAT. Thus, the correlation between VAE, and VAT could not be calculated. In a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, Bouadma et al. [11] identified aetiologies of each episode and found only 1% of VAC caused by tracheobronchitis.

Worsening of ventilatory parameters is not a mandatory criterion for VA-LRTI definition, and only the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) includes the alteration of the PaO2/FiO2. Our study and previous studies [5, 11] reported that an important percentage of VAE episodes were possibly related to VAP, and not to VAT. This clearly suggests that using alteration of oxygenation, i.e. PaO2/FiO2, could be helpful in differentiating VAP from VAT. Differentiating these two infections could be a difficult task, as the accuracy of chest X-ray in diagnosing new infiltrates is low [14,15,16]. However, it is still important to differentiate them, as antibiotic treatment is not recommended for VAT and inappropriate use of antimicrobials is a risk factor for subsequent emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria [17, 18]. Previous large observational studies and two small randomized controlled trials suggested beneficial effects of systemic and inhaled antibiotics. However, several limitations preclude definite conclusions on the interest of antimicrobials in patients with VAT, and further large multicentre randomized controlled trials are required.

The incidence of VAE in our study is in line with previous findings. However, the incidence of VAP (21%) is somehow higher than that reported by recent studies [19]. This could be explained by the fact that only patients receiving mechanical ventilation for > 4 days were included in our study.

VAE, and VA-LRTI were associated with significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital and ICU stay. However, VAE and VA-LRTI were not independently associated with mortality. In contrast, two previous studies reported that VAE were associated with significantly higher mortality rates [11, 12].

VAE diagnosis algorithm is based on objective criteria and easy to use in routine in mechanically ventilated patients. However, the clinical relevance of VAE is not clear. First, our study and previous ones clearly showed that applying a VAE algorithm surveillance is not accurate in detecting VA-LRTI. Second, the impact of a ventilator bundle on VAE incidence is unknown. Few studies have focused on the preventability of VAE, but it seems that bundles applied for VAP prevention are not completely effective for VAE prevention [20,21,22]. Our results show that many VAE were non-infectious events as atelectasis, pleural effusion or acute pulmonary embolism. This might explain why ventilator bundles are not effective in preventing VAE, and should not be used to assess the quality of care in mechanically ventilated patients.

VAE algorithm failed in identifying most of VAT and 73% of VAP episodes and should not be used to start an empirical treatment of VA-LRTI. Furthermore, the retrospective nature of VAE does not allow its use at bedside. In fact, to meet IVAC criteria, patients must have 2 days of stable oxygenation parameter and 2 days of worsening ventilatory settings after which a new antibiotic must be prescribed for at least 4 days.

Our study has some limitations. First, it was performed in a single center, and its results may not be generalized to all ICU patients. Second, it was retrospective. However, all VA-LRTI were prospectively identified. Third, no data were collected on duration of antibiotic treatment before VA-LRTI, and VAE, neither on appropriateness of antibiotic treatment in patients with VA-LRTI. Fourth, the definition of VAT and VAP was based on chest X-ray that was interpreted by physicians in charge and no blind interpretation was performed. The prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation reported in patients with VA-LRTI, or VAE, as compared to those with no infection, or no VAE could not be attributed to these events as no adjustment was performed.

Conclusion

VAE and VA-LRTI are common in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients, and have a significant impact on duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay. VAE are moderately correlated to VAP, and not correlated to VAT. Our results suggest that VAE should not be used as a marker of quality of care or to start empirical antibiotic treatment.