Clinical curative effect of ipratropium bromide in combination with ambroxol hydrochoride on ventilator-associated pneumonia in elderly patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical curative effect of ipratropium bromide in combination with ambroxol hydrochloride (mucosolvan) on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in elderly patients. Methods From Jan 2013 to Nov 2014, a total of 46 elderly patients with VAP in our hospital were treated with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg diluted in 5 ml saline by inhalation with ventilator, and mucosolvan 30 mg by intravenous injection, 3 times/d (treatment group, n=23), and treated with ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg diluted in 5 ml saline by inhalation with ventilator, 3 times/d (control group, n=23). Total clinical effective rate, ventilating time, number of sputum suction by fibre bronchoscope and white cell count were compared between the two groups. Results The total clinical effective rate was higher in treatment group than in the control group〔91% (21/23) vs. 74% (17/23), χ2=11.310, P=0.002〕. The indicators of ventilating time, number of sputum suction by fibre bronchoscope and white cell count were improved in treatment group as compared with control group〔(8.2±1.5) d vs. (13.7±3.1) d, (3.5±0.3) vs. (6.7±1.2), (9.5±2.3) ×109/L vs. (14.2±2.7)×109/L, t=17.510, 2.750, 3.810, respectively, P=0.000, 0.001, 0.001〕. Conclusions Compared with single-drug treatment, ipratropium bromide in combination with ambroxol hydrochloride (mucosolvan) could improve airway humidification, promote cilium to clean secreta, shorten the ventilating time and increase the curative rate of VAP in elderly patients. Key words: Pneumonia, ventilator-associated; Ambroxol