Effects of the Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) on Pulmonary Secondary Infections in Patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Single Centre Experience

Definitive data on the incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in COVID-19 are still lacking, ranging from 29 to 58%. To date, most of the existing literature refers to patients who are not subjected to VAP prevention with selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD). We re...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gastrointestinal disorders (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-05, Vol.5 (2), p.233-242
Main Authors: Berlot, Giorgio, Moro, Edoardo, Zio, Stefano, Zanchi, Silvia, Randino, Anna, Tomasini, Ariella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acute respiratory distress syndrome
Antibiotics
Bacteria
Bacterial infections
COVID-19
Disease
Fungi
Hospitals
Infections
Influenza
Intensive care
Intubation
mechanical ventilation
Pathogens
Patients
Pneumonia
pulmonary infections
Respiratory distress syndrome
selective decontamination of the digestive tract
ventilator-associated pneumonia
Ventilators
Viruses
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Definitive data on the incidence rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in COVID-19 are still lacking, ranging from 29 to 58%. To date, most of the existing literature refers to patients who are not subjected to VAP prevention with selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD). We retrospectively collected data on all COVID-19 patients admitted to our ICU during the second phase of the pandemic with the aim of assessing the occurrence of VAP and the related mortality at 30 days and comparing our findings with the available literature. Of 213 patients, only 74 were eligible for the analysis. An incidence of 6.90 VAP per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation was detected. Apart from a smoking habit (0% vs. 10%, p < 0.005) and diabetes (14% vs. 54%, p = 0.026), patients who developed VAP did not differ significantly from those who did not regarding comorbidities, steroid use, and the severity of COVID-19. VAP were predominantly caused by mono-microbial Gram-negative or fungal infections. Mortality was significantly higher in those who developed VAP (86 vs. 33%, p = 0.002). Our evidence aligned with the available literature in assuming a possible role of SDD in reducing the incidence of VAP in COVID-19 patients, with a possible impact on related mortality and costs.
ISSN:2624-5647
2624-5647
DOI:10.3390/gidisord5020019