VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA AMONG PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Abstract

Aim: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is common in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but can lead to complications, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the VAP characteristics in patients with COVID-19. Material and methods: We assessed the prevalence of VAP and its ef f ects on mortality, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and MV time. We also identif i ed the most common bacteria causing VAP and their resistance patterns. Results: Medical records of 235 patients with COVID-19 were analysed. After excluding 55 patients, a total of 180 patients were included in the study. Of the 180 patients included in this study, 67 (37%) developed VAP, and the mortality rate was 70.1%. Patients with VAP had a longer duration of stay in the ICU and required MV for longer durations than those without VAP. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis were the most prevalent bacterial species. Multi-drug resistant pathogens were found in 57% of cases. Although patients with VAP exhibited a higher mortality rate compared to those without VAP, the dif f erence was not statistically signif i cant. Conclusions: Our fi ndings suggest that VAP is a common complication in patients with COVID-19 receiving MV and that multidrug-resistant bacteria are a signif i cant concern. This highlights the need for ef f ective prevention and management strategies for VAP in this population.