Does a 2-Day Course of Antibiotics Lower the Incidence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Patients Undergoing Targeted Temperature Management Following Cardiac Arrest?

Synopsis: This double-blind, randomized control trial evaluated the efficacy of a 2-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate in reducing the incidence of early ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients undergoing targeted temperature management following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with initial shockable rhythm. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of early ventilator-associated pneumonia in the treatment group when compared with placebo, but no reduction in ventilator-free days or mortality at day 28. Source: Francois B, Cariou A, Clere-Jehl R, et al. Prevention of early ventilator-associated pneumonia after cardiac arrest. N Engl J Med. 2019;381:1831–1842.