Incidence of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Post-operative Cardiac Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND: Major cardiac surgery patients are at high risk for nosocomial infections. Our objective was to identify risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in post-operative cardiac surgery patients. One of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cardiac intensive care is VAP. So this serious nosocomial infection is a real threat to post-operative cardiac surgery patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to find the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia in post-cardiac surgery patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, clinical study conducted at Punjab institute of cardiology between 01-06-2021 to 31-12-2021 for six months. A total of 120 post-cardiac surgery patients of both genders in ICU were enrolled in the study. Informed consent and demographic details were taken. Baseline investigations were taken. With properly designed Questionnaire data regarding the observations were entered by working personnel in ICU. VAP was confirmed by history of patients and by microbiology aspect. The data was collected and was analyzed by the help of SPSS v20 software. RESULTS: All of 120 patients underwent controlled ventilation. In 5 patients microbiological results confirmed VAP. Among patients who were diagnosed as case of VAP average patient age was a 59.40±5.12 years. 2 (40%) males and 3(60%) females suffered VAP. Predominant organism isolated was pseudomonas aeroginosa4 (80%). CABG with and without valve surgery 4 (80%) was the commonest type of surgery. Majority of patients 4(80%) remained on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. CONCLUSION: VAP is relatively most common nosocomial infection in post-cardiac surgery patients. Post CABG patients especially with multiple risk factors, compromised left ventricular systolic function and longer duration on mechanical ventilation are at high risk of developing VAP. Such population should be given special attention.