In this issue of the Journal, Heyland et al., writing for theCanadian Critical Care Trials Group, report the results of amulticenter, randomized trial comparing the use of bronchoalveolarlavage and endotracheal aspiration for the diagnosis of ventilator-associatedpneumonia.1 This study was part of a larger 2-by-2 factorialdesign also comparing empirical antimicrobial monotherapy (acarbapenem) and combination therapy (a carbapenem plus a fluoroquinolone).The authors conclude that bronchoalveolar lavage and endotrachealaspiration are associated with similar clinical outcomes andsimilar overall use of antibiotics. However, several importantlimitations of the study must be appreciated in order to place. . . [Full Text of this Article]
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From the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Washington University School of Medicine; and Medical Critical Care and Respiratory Care Services, BarnesJewish Hospital both in St. Louis.
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