The Early Diagnostic Value Of Procalcitonin In Patients With Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

Objective: To explore the early diagnostic value of procalcitonin(PCT)in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP).Methods: 1 The study included 50 patients with craniocerebral injury who needed mechanical ventilation(MV) over 48 hours. They were randomly divided into VAP group and non-VAP group by whether they developed VAP in 5 days or not.2 Extracting the vein blood of two groups before and after MV. We recorded the levels of PCT, C-Reaction Protein(CRP), White Blood Cell count(WBC)and body temperature(T).The differences of inflammation factors between VAP group and non-VAP group were compared. The differences of inflammation factors before and after MV were assessed;3 sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing VAP were calculated. Compare the difference of PCT level between G- group and G+ group after gaining the results of secretion culture.The average time of mechanical ventilation?stay in ICU?hospital time and death rate were recorded.Results: 1 The PCT?CRP?WBC and T showed no difference between the VAP and non-VAP group before MV. After mechanical ventilation, the PCT?CRP?WBC of VAP group increased(P<0.05),and T also rose with no statistical significance. All factors in VAP group increased after mechanical ventilation comparing with them before mechanical ventilation(P<0.05);the CRP?WBC?T in non-VAP group increased while PCT added and there was no statistical significance.2 The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of PCT for VAP were 88%?92%. The PCT level of G- group was higher than G+ group in VAP group(P<0.05).3 The time of MV?ICU and hospital time in VAP group were longer than non-VAP group(P< 0.05). Group non-VAP had lower death rate but the difference had no statistical significance.Conclusions: 1 Serum procalcitonin has high sensitivity and specificity in the early diagnosis of VAP, owning significant clinical value.2 The PCT level of G- group was higher than G+ group.