There is no consensus on the need for antibiotic treatment for ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). There's a lack of high-quality clinical data on this subject, and although some observational studies recommend antibiotic treatment for VAT, some guidelines do not. The VATICAN is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded (analysis), non-inferiority trial evaluating antibiotic treatment for patients with ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis. Patients with clinically diagnosed tracheobronchitis will be randomized to receive antibiotics for 7 days versus clinical observation without antibiotic treatment for VAT. The primary hypothesis is that clinical observation without antibiotic treatment is noninferior to 7-day antibiotic course.
The Ventilator Associated tracheobronchitis Initiative to Conduct Antibiotic evaluation (VATICAN) trial is a national, multicenter, non-inferiority trial in ICU patients comparing antibiotic treatment for 7 days versus clinical observation without antibiotic treatment for patients with ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis.