Concordance between Microorganisms Isolated from Subglottic Secretions and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Patients with Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Nosocomial pneumonia is a common complication in critically ill patients. Mechanical ventilation has been consistently identified as the greatest risk factor for the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Aims: The purpose of the current study is to find the concordance between microorganisms cultured from subglottic secretions and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and to assess the effectiveness of subglottic suctioning for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, cohort study. Patients between 15 and 85 years who developed VAP after receiving mechanical ventilation were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: Group No Subglottic Secretion Drainage (NSSD) and Group Continuous Subglottic Secretion Drainage (CSSD). Results: The mean age of the patients was 56 ± 13 years. Fifty-eight percent were males and 42% were females. The incidence of VAP among NSSD group was 41.7% and in CSSD group was 25%. The coefficient of correlation was calculated for the microorganisms cultured in subglottic and BALF using Pearson's correlation. The correlation coefficient was 0.78 for the entire population (P = 0.01). In the NSSD group, it was 0.82 (P = 0.01), and in the CSSD group, it was 0.76 (P = 0.01). The mean Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay is maximum in NSSD group (12.9 ± 1.84 days) compared to CSSD group (9.2 ± 1.17 days). Conclusion: The concordance of organism grown in subglottic secretions and BALF culture is higher in NSSD group as compared to CSSD group. CSSD is an effective means of reducing the number of ventilator days and ICU stay.