Ventilator-associated pneumonia represents a severe complication in patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation. The incidence is presumed to be 25 % of the total number of mechanically ventilated patients. The clinical assessment is usually based on the presence of a new radiographic infiltrate, fever, blood leukocytosis, or leukopenia and purulent tracheal secretions. According to the time after tracheal intubation when VAP occurs we can distinguish early and late onset VAP, which differs in terms of infectious agent. The early and adequate antibiotic therapy together with the basic preventive treatment represents the only possibility to avoid the complications. The article reviews the actual knowledge of this phenomenon, the adequate diagnostic attitudes and therapeutic possibilities.

        Key words: ventilator-associated pneumonia, mechanical ventilation, nosocomial infection.