Probiotics to Actively Counter Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (PROACT)
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
PROACT study aims to resolve uncertainties to influence actual practice guidelines or public health policing regarding VAP prevention in ICU by using probiotics administration. Multi-trauma patients with a head injury OR stroke or brain haemorrhage patients without any sign of aspiration and lung infection will be enrolled and randomized to either placebo or probiotic treatment to assess if VAP and mortality can be reduced in the interventional group.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * adults aged 18-80 years * at least one of the following conditions: a) recent trauma involving head injury and at least one more organ system; b) stroke or brain hemorrhage without any sign of aspiration and lung infection * intubation and start of mechanical ventilation. This needs to start immediately after the event described in the inclusion criteria (b). For cases of head trauma this is defined as start in the ambulance or the emergency department * likelihood that the duration of mechanical ventilation would be at least six days * written informed consent provided by the patient or legal representative Exclusion Criteria: * has received mechanical ventilation more than 72 hours from start of screening * pregnancy or Lactation * patients at risk of iatrogenic probiotic infection e.g. immunosuppression which includes * HIV \<200 CD4 cells/μL * those receiving chronic immunosuppressive medications (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus,