Surfactant replacement for ventilator-associated pneumonia: a preliminary report.

Background: Surfactant abnormalities have been described in bacterial pneumonia.

Objective: To determine the safety and effect of exogenous surfactant replacement in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: Patients with VAP were randomized in a double-blind study to receive either an artificial surfactant (Exosurf) consisting mostly of disaturated phospholipids (DSPL) or saline via a continuous nebulizer system for 5 days.