Role of clarithromycin in ventilator-associated pneumonia care bundle in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the addition of clarithromycin to the ventilator care bundle to help in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Patients and methods Eighty patients of more than 18 years, on a mechanical ventilator for less than 48 h, expected length of stay in the ICU for more than 48 h, with no clinical and radiographic evidence of pneumonia were enrolled in a double-blind comparative study. The patients were randomized to one of the two groups: group A (n = 40) where the patients received clarithromycin (through the Ryle over the first 3 days after intubation); group B (n = 40) is the control group. Results As regards demographic data, length of stay in the ICU, use of vasopressor, prolongation of corrected QT interval Q wave T wave, and incidence of mortality no statistical difference was observed between the two groups, regarding the incidence of VAP in group A was significantly lower than in group B. Conclusion Administration of clarithromycin for 3 days reduce the incidence of VAP in mechanically ventilated patients.

Keywords

• clarithromycin
• intensive care unit
• ventilator-associated pneumonia