Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on risk of microaspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia in mechanically ventilated ICU patients: a prospective study

Elevated PEEP levels, especially within the 7-10 cmH₂O range, effectively reduce microaspiration, minimize subglottic secretion leakage, and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation. These findings highlight the clinical importance of higher PEEP settings in reducing VAP risk and improving patient outcomes.