Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a hospital-acquired infection that develops after 48 hours of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. In order to identify the risk factors related with ventilator-associated pneumonia, admissions to the intensive care unit during the period June 2007-June 2008 were evaluated. A retrospective case-control study was designed after reviewing case histories, artificial airway and mechanical ventilation records. A database was created, identifying 32 cases and 64 controls matched by orotracheal intubation dates. The variables with p values <0.2 were selected for logistic regression analysis and significance was found for night admission AOR: 6,02 IC95% (1,76-20,57), intubation at AOR: 3,79 IC95% (1,11-12,99), more than 1 intubation AOR: 5,81 IC95% (1,36-24,91), transportation out of ICU AOR: 5,13 IC95% (1,72-15,26). The results of the trial will help to establish measures for the prevention of this nosocomial infection, as well as for the appropriate use of resources, pursuit and evaluation of the guidelines, and the reduction of costs and hospital stays.