Risk factors of second ventilator-associated pneumonia in trauma patients: a retrospective cohort study

Background Ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent and serious complication in ICU. Second episodes of VAP are common in trauma patients and may be related to severity of underlying conditions, treatment or bacterial factors of the first VAP. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of second VAP episodes in trauma injured patients (defined as the development of a new pulmonary infection during or remotely following the first episode). Design This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of trauma injured patients who underwent a first episode of VAP between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2020 at Beaujon Hospital. Results A total of 533 patients with a first episode of VAP were analyzed, mostly with head and/or thoracic traumatic injury. A second episode of VAP occurred in one hundred sixty-seven patients (31.3%). The main risk factors found was the degree of hypoxemia at the time of the first episode [PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio 100–200, OR 3.12 (1.77–5.69); < 100, OR 5.80 (2.70–12.8)] and severe traumatic brain injury characterized by an initial GCS ≤ 8 [OR 1.65 (1.01–2.74)]. Conclusion Depth of hypoxemia during the first VAP episode and severity of the initial brain injury are the main risk factors for VAP second episode in trauma injured patients.