Statins present anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. They may modify the
regulation of cytokines, (released from the cellular damage) and may reduce the production of
C-reactive protein levels. It has been hypothesized that these pleiotropic characteristic of
statins might be useful in the management of various diseases, including pneumonia. Indeed, a
recent study showed that statin treatment is associated with reduced risk of pneumonia in
diabetic patients. However, the relationship between statins and reduced risk of pneumonia is
not consistent . In addition there is no prospective study to investigate the role of statins
in severe forms of pneumonia such as the VAP.
On this base the investigators aim to study prospectively the effect of statins on the
outcome of patients with VAP in the ICU settings. The investigators therefore contacted a
double open label randomized trial to investigate whether the use of pravastatin reduces the
incidence of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in the ICU and whether it is related with
favorable outcome of patients with Ventilator Associated Pneumonia.