Características clínicas de las neumonías asociadas a ventilación mecánica en pacientes críticos ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital General del Norte de Guayaquil Los Ceibos año 2025.

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a lung infection that develops in patients on mechanical ventilation after endotracheal intubation, 48 hours after extubation. This is a subtype of hospital-acquired pneumonia, which includes pneumonia in hospitalized patients not on mechanical ventilation, usually acquired in the ICU (intensive care unit). Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, and retrospective design was adopted. Data were obtained from the clinical records of patients hospitalized in the ICU between January and June 2025. Data were reviewed to obtain information on a diagnosis of pneumonia after the patient's hospitalization. Results: The results obtained allowed us to meet the objectives of this study by describing the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the ICU of the General Hospital of Northern Guayaquil, Los Ceibos. VAP was identified as affecting both men and women, with a slight male predominance, supporting the literature indicating greater vulnerability in this group. Conclusions: This complication is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, prolongs hospital stays, and increases costs. Furthermore, it is concluded that preventive "packages of measures," such as elevating the head of the bed and oral hygiene, are effective in reducing the incidence of VAP. Early diagnosis, appropriate use of antibiotics, and subglottic secretion aspiration are also key factors for its control.