Predictors of treatment failure following early antibiotic discontinuation in culture-negative, ventilator-associated pneumonia: an observational study.

Introduction: Early antibiotic discontinuation in clinically suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may lead to infection relapse/recurrence and increase mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and potential predictors of treatment failure with this approach.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted between September 2014 and November 2016 in a mixed intensive care unit.