【Abstract】 Objective To analyze the risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia ( VAP) in respiratory intensive care unit ( RICU) , as well as the impact on mortality. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 105 patients who had received mechanical ventilation in RICUbetweenMay 2008 andJanuary 2010. The duration of intubation, vital signs, primary disease of respiratory failure and complications,blood biochemistry, blood routine tests, arterial blood gas analysis, APACHEⅡ score,medications, nutritional status, bronchoalveolar lavage ( BAL) , protected specimen brush ( PSB) quantitative culture, chest X-rayexamination were recorded and analyzed. Results The incidence rate of VAP was 32. 4% . Mortality in the VAP patients were significantly higher than those without VAP( 58. 8% vs. 28. 2% , P = 0. 007) . The duration of intubation, hypotension induced by intubation, cerebrovascular disease, and hypoalbuminemiawererisk factors for VAP in RICU. Conclusions Mortality of the patients with VAP increased obviously. The risk factors for VAP in RICU were the duration of intubation, hypotension after intubation, cerebrovascular disease, and hypoalbuminemia.