Prognostic Role of Serum Adrenomedullin in Patients with Ventilator Associated Pneumonia

HIGHLIGHTS: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common type of sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients that can progress to septic shock and increased mortality. Adrenomedullin (ADM) was found to be elevated in septic patients, so we explored the possible prognostic role of adrenomedullin in VAP patients. A total of 140 mechanically ventilated patients with proven VAP after medical ICU admission were consecutively enrolled into this prospective observational study. Serum ADM on enrollment could predict the unfavorable outcome with a sensitivity of 96.25%. After 5 days, it showed a sensitivity of 57.5% and a specificity of 100%. We found that serum adrenomedullin when measured at days 0 and 5 of VAP diagnosis may serve as an early predictor of unfavorable outcome (prolonged mechanical ventilation, septic shock, and mortality). ABSTRACT: Objective: Ventilator associated pneumonia is a common type of sepsis that occurs to about 9–27% of all mechanically ventilated patients and 20–50% of them develop septic shock. Several clinical, laboratory, and radiological methods have been used for diagnosing VAP. Adrenomedullin (ADM) has been found to be elevated in the plasma of septic patients. The study aim was to explore the prognostic role of ADM in the VAP patients. Design: A prospective observational study. Setting: Intensive Care Department of Alexandria University Hospitals. Patients: A total of 140 patients with proven VAP after medical ICU admission were consecutively enrolled. Methods: APACHE II score, SOFA score, CRP, lactate, and serum ADM were measured at day 0 of VAP diagnosis and 5 days later. The results were correlated with the outcomes of patients. Results: APACHE II, lactate, and serum ADM on day 0 could predict an unfavorable outcome. ADM prediction power was significantly higher than APACHE II and lactate. Day 5 readings of all tested parameters could predict occurrence of the unfavorable outcome. ADM on day 0 showed the highest sensitivity (96.25%). Conclusions: Serum adrenomedullin when measured at days 0 and 5 of VAP diagnosis may serve as an early predictor of unfavorable outcome.