Does De-Escalation of Antibiotic Therapy for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Affect the Likelihood of Recurrent Pneumonia or Mortality in Critically Ill Surgical Patients?

Abstract

De-escalation therapy did not lead to RP or increased mortality in critically ill surgical patients with VAP. De-escalation therapy was also shown to be safe in patients with septic shock. Because of its acknowledged benefits and lack of demonstrable risks, de-escalation therapy should be used whenever possible in critically ill patients with VAP.