American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2019
Meta AnalysisChest physiotherapy for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A meta-analysis.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a frequent and severe complication in mechanically ventilated patients. We undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of chest physiotherapy (CPT) for the prevention of VAP. ⋯ CPT may not significantly reduce the incidence of VAP and alter other important clinical outcomes in adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously owing to the heterogeneity and the limited trials. Further large-scale, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed.