A 60-year-old man on ICU develops ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). He has purulent tracheal aspirate, fever, and elevated WCC, but no ne...

Question

A 60-year-old man on ICU develops ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). He has purulent tracheal aspirate, fever, and elevated WCC, but no new infiltrates on CXR. According to current guidance, should he receive antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

VAT is a clinical entity where inhaled antibiotics may reduce progression to VAP, but systemic antibiotics are not routinely recommended unless the patient deteriorates to VAP

Answer

Yes - VAT always requires the same antibiotic course as VAP

Answer

No - VAT is always benign and self-limiting

Answer

Yes - IV meropenem for 14 days

Answer

VAT does not exist as a clinical entity

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Ventilator-Associated Tracheobronchitis

A 60-year-old man on ICU develops ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). He has purulent tracheal aspirate, fever, and elevated WCC, but no new infiltrates on CXR. According to current guidance, should he receive antibiotics?