Ventilator-associated pneumonias in a cardiothoracic surgery centre postoperative intensive care unit.

Cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were investigated in a cardiothoracic surgery postoperative intensive care unit between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999. A total of 1716 patients who had undergone cardiothoracic operations and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were included in the study. Patient- and laboratory-based prospective surveillance of VAP was done along with other hospital-acquired infections.