Qu GP, et al. - In a study population comprising elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, researchers looked at the correlation between α-amylase in tracheal aspirates and risk factors of aspiration, as well as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Furthermore, they explored the clinical value of α-amylase for predicting VAP. Findings demonstrated that in this patient population, tracheal aspirate α-amylase could serve as a biomarker for predicting VAP.