Unravelling the complexity of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic methodological literature review of diagnostic criteria and definitions used in clinical research
Authors' conclusion
When provided, diagnostic criteria and definitions of VAP in RCTs display notable variability.
Study context
- Population
- Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (completed and ongoing, 2010–2024) of pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions in adults with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)studies included
- Participants
- 119 participants
- Primary endpoint
- Diagnostic criteria and definitions of the term "ventilator-associated" used in RCTs of VAP management
Methodological detailsprotocol-registered, Narrative and tabular synthesis, Search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL; 7,173 records identified
- Protocol-registered
- Narrative and tabular synthesis
- Search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL; 7,173 records identified
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Reporting and content of VAP diagnostic criteria and definitions
- Diagnostic criteria provided
- 51.2%
- Term "ventilator-associated" defined
- 52.1%
- Criterion: pulmonary infiltrates
- 96.7%
- Criterion: fever
- 86.9%
- Criterion: hypothermia
- 49.1%
- Criterion: sputum
- 70.5%
- Criterion: hypoxia
- 32.8%
- Combinations of criteria used across studies
- 38
- Different definitions of "ventilator-associated"
- 9
Original publication
Unravelling the complexity of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic methodological literature review of diagnostic criteria and definitions used in clinical research. Crit Care. Published 2 July 2024. doi:10.
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