Table 2. PROS and CONS of VAE and VARI definitions.

PRO/CON	VAE	VARI	References
Clinical correlation	+++	++	(14-17)
Physician-friendly concept	−	+++	(12,18,19)
Objectiveness (kappa index)	+++	+	(15,17,18,20,21)
Sensibility	−	+++	(11,12,22-24)
External comparability	+++	+	(15,25)
Diagnosis of VAT	−	+++	(8,10-12,22)
Diagnosis of VAP	−	+++	(8,10-13,17,22,23)
Non-infective events	+++	−	(8,10-13,15)
Impact on outcomes	+++	++	(2,8,12,21,24,26,27)
Surveillance	+++	++	(25,28-30)
Quality indicator	+++	+	(11,21,25,30,31)
Histological findings	NA	+	(9,14,16)

VAE, ventilator-associated event; VARI, ventilator-associated respiratory infection. +++, good; ++, fair; +, poor; −, none.