The purpose of this study is to test a new method for diagnosing and monitoring Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, which is a major killer among ICU patients. The method requires analysis of a small amount of the patient's blood for concentration of a hormone called Procalcitonin.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the onset/progress/resolution of pneumonia and the levels of Procalcitonin, a prohormone whose concentrations fluctuate in response to bacterial infection.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
29
Procalcitonin concentrations will be determined every day and will be compared with the clinical diagnosis based upon standard clinical practice. All subjects enrolled will be followed until the patient is either extubated or discharged from the SICU.
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Correlation of Procalcitonin concentration with the LungGuardian-derived Pneumonia Score in mechanically ventilated surgical intensive care unit patients. Using the data collected a positive and negative predictive value will be calculated.
Time frame: Once daily
antibiotic status (appropriateness, effectiveness, discontinuation criteria)
Time frame: Once daily
intubation date
Time frame: Once daily
microbiology data
Time frame: Once daily
PCT levels
Time frame: Once daily
pneumonia-related symptoms (including tracheal secretion character, body temperature, oxygenation, and WBC counts)
Time frame: Once daily
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