Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, 2001 Perspectives on Critical Care Infectious Diseases Series, Vol. 4

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) continues to be one of the greatest challenges to critical care practitioners and one of the greatest threats to the survival of our patients. The choice of this topic for an issue of the PERSPECTIVES IN CRITICAL CARE INFECTIOUSDISEASES Series is therefore quite appropriate.
Despite its importance, many areas of the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia remain controversial. We therefore are pleased to include contributions from experts and investigators offering different perspectives on some of these controversial areas.

1. Diagnosis of Pneumonia.- 2. Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated PneumoniaOne American’s Perspective.- 3. Prevention of Pneumonia in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.- 4. Is Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Cost Effective?.- 5. Role of the Oropharynx and Digestive Tract in the Pathogenesis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.- 6.Treatment of Ventilator-Associated PneumoniaEuropean Perspective.- 7. Treatment of Ventilator-Associated PneumoniaNorth American Perspective.- 8. Resistant Pathogens: Emergence and Control in ICU Patients.- 9. Resistant Pathogens: Emergence and Control 131 Patricia Winokur.- 10. Mortality and Morbidity of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: The Controversy.