Aerophagia increases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically-ill patients.

V pneumonia (VAP) is a nosocomial infection frequently complicating the course of critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. A recent analysis identified that the attributable mortality resulting from this condition is approximately 10%,1 highlighting the impact that strategies aiming at reducing this complication may have on the outcome of critically-ill patients. Gastric residual volume (GRV), particularly during enteral nutrition, is supposed to increase the risk of VAP.2-7 GRV has often precluded the use of early enteral nutrition, the preferable nutritional support in order to reduce infectious complications, length of stay and mortality.8, 9 Traditionally, volumes up to 200-250 mL were considered indicative of upper digestive intolerance.4-7 Recently, acceptable residual volumes have progressively been Aerophagia increases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically-ill patients