Project description:BackgroundPendelluft, defined as asynchronous alveolar ventilation, is caused by different regional time constants or dynamic pleural pressure variations. The aim of the present study was to propose a simple method to evaluate pendelluft based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT). The efficacy of this method was demonstrated in well-known pendelluft scenarios in 6 patients.MethodsTwo patients with flail chest after accidents, two patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and two patients with acutely exacerbated obstructive lung disease were prospectively included. EIT measurements were performed before and after surgery (in patients with flail chest, who had video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with ribs fixation), or at two different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; ARDS patients), or two different time points (obstructive lung disease). Pendelluft was assessed by regional phase shift (defined as time difference between global and regional impedance-time curves) and amplitude differences (defined as the impedance difference between sum of all regional tidal variation and the global tidal variation).ResultsIn patients with flail chest, pendelluft diminished several days after surgery (pendelluft amplitude normalized to tidal impedance variation reduced from 88% to 2% in one patient, 12% to 2% in the other). Increased PEEP reduced the amplitude of pendelluft (from 3% to 0% in one patient, 20% to 2% in the other) but not necessarily the phase shifts (average time differences were <0.1 second for both patients for both ins- and expiration) in ARDS patients. Pendelluft assessment in obstructive lung diseases reflected the change in airway resistance (from 5% to 1% in one patient after broncholytic medication administration, as airway resistance fell from 15 to 11 cmH2O/L/s; from 9% to 35% in the other patient with acute exacerbation, the corresponding airway resistance increased from 15 to 22 cmH2O/L/s).ConclusionsThe proposed EIT-based method can be used to evaluate the degree of pendelluft in dimension of phase shift and amplitude difference.
Project description:BackgroundAlthough electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is widely used for monitoring regional ventilation distribution, reference values have yet to be established for clinical use. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of creating reference values for standard EIT parameters for potential clinical application.MethodsA total of 75 participants with healthy lungs were included in this prospective study (male:female, 48:27; age, 34±14 years; height, 172±7 cm; weight, 73±12 kg). The subjects were examined during spontaneous breathing in the supine position. EIT measurements were performed at the level of the 4th intercostal space. Commonly used EIT-based parameters, including the center of ventilation (CoV), dorsal and most dorsal fractions of ventilation distribution (TVD and TVROI4 respectively), global inhomogeneity (GI) index, and standard deviation of regional ventilation delay index (RVDSD) were calculated.ResultsFollowing outlier detection, EIT data from 71 subjects were finally evaluated. The values of the evaluated parameters were: CoV, 48.7%±1.7%; TVD, 48.1%±5.4%; TVROI4, 7.1%±1.8%; GI, 0.49±0.04; and RVDSD, 7.0±2.0. The coefficients of variation for CoV and GI were low (0.03 and 0.07, respectively), but those for TVROI4 and RVDSD were comparatively high (0.26 and 0.28, respectively). None of the evaluated parameters showed a significant correlation with age. The GI index showed a weak but significant correlation with body mass index (R=0.29, P=0.01). The RVDSD was slightly higher in males than in females.ConclusionsOur study indicated that CoV and GI were stable parameters with small coefficients of variation in participants with healthy lungs. The creation of EIT parameter reference values for setting treatment targets may be feasible.
Project description:IntroductionGeneral anesthesia is associated with the development of atelectasis, which may affect lung ventilation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive imaging tool that allows monitoring in real time the topographical changes in aeration and ventilation.ObjectiveTo evaluate the pattern of distribution of pulmonary ventilation through EIT before and after anesthesia induction in pediatric patients without lung disease undergoing nonthoracic surgery.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study including healthy children younger than 5 years who underwent nonthoracic surgery. Monitoring was performed continuously before and throughout the surgical period. Data analysis was divided into 5 periods: induction (spontaneous breathing, SB), ventilation-5min, ventilation-30min, ventilation-late and recovery-SB. In addition to demographic data, mechanical ventilation parameters were also collected. Ventilation impedance (Delta Z) and pulmonary ventilation distribution were analyzed cycle by cycle at the 5 periods.ResultsTwenty patients were included, and redistribution of ventilation from the posterior to the anterior region was observed with the beginning of mechanical ventilation: on average, the percentage ventilation distribution in the dorsal region decreased from 54%(IC95%:49-60%) to 49%(IC95%:44-54%). With the restoration of spontaneous breathing, ventilation in the posterior region was restored.ConclusionThere were significant pulmonary changes observed during anesthesia and controlled mechanical ventilation in children younger than 5 years, mirroring the findings previously described adults. Monitoring these changes may contribute to guiding the individualized settings of the mechanical ventilator with the goal to prevent postoperative complications.
Project description:Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a promising imaging technique for bedside monitoring of lung function. It is easily applicable, cheap and requires no ionizing radiation, but clinical interpretation of EIT-images is still not standardized. One of the reasons for this is the ill-posed nature of EIT, allowing a range of possible images to be produced-rather than a single explicit solution. Thus, to further advance the EIT technology for clinical application, thorough examinations of EIT-image reconstruction settings-i.e., mathematical parameters and addition of a priori (e.g., anatomical) information-is essential. In the present work, regional ventilation distribution profiles derived from different EIT finite-element reconstruction models and settings (for GREIT and Gauss Newton) were compared to regional aeration profiles assessed by the gold-standard of 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) by calculating the root mean squared error (RMSE). Specifically, non-individualized reconstruction models (based on circular and averaged thoracic contours) and individualized reconstruction models (based on true thoracic contours) were compared. Our results suggest that GREIT with noise figure of 0.15 and non-uniform background works best for the assessment of regional ventilation distribution by EIT, as verified versus 4DCT. Furthermore, the RMSE of anteroposterior ventilation profiles decreased from 2.53±0.62% to 1.67±0.49% while correlation increased from 0.77 to 0.89 after embedding anatomical information into the reconstruction models. In conclusion, the present work reveals that anatomically enhanced EIT-image reconstruction is superior to non-individualized reconstruction models, but further investigations in humans, so as to standardize reconstruction settings, is warranted.
Project description:Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is increasingly being used as a bedside tool for monitoring regional lung ventilation. However, most clinical systems use serial data collection which, if uncorrected, results in image distortion, particularly at high breathing rates. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which this affects derived parameters. Raw EIT data were acquired with the GOE-MF II EIT device (CareFusion, Höchberg, Germany) at a scan rate of 13 images/s during both spontaneous breathing and mechanical ventilation. Boundary data for periods of undisturbed tidal breathing were corrected for serial data collection errors using a Fourier based algorithm. Images were reconstructed for both the corrected and original data using the GREIT algorithm, and parameters describing the filling characteristics of the right and left lung derived on a breath by breath basis. Values from the original and corrected data were compared using paired t-tests. Of the 33 data sets, 23 showed significant differences in filling index for at least one region, 11 had significant differences in calculated tidal impedance change and 12 had significantly different filling fractions (p = 0.05). We conclude that serial collection errors should be corrected before image reconstruction to avoid clinically misleading results.
Project description:BackgroundLeft-sided cardiac volume overload (LCVO) can cause fluid accumulation in lung tissue changing the distribution of ventilation, which can be evaluated by electrical impedance tomography (EIT).ObjectivesTo describe and compare EIT variables in horses with naturally occurring compensated and decompensated LCVO and compare them to a healthy cohort.AnimalsFourteen adult horses, including university teaching horses and clinical cases (healthy: 8; LCVO: 4 compensated, 2 decompensated).MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, EIT was used in standing, unsedated horses and analyzed for conventional variables, ventilated right (VAR) and left (VAL) lung area, linear-plane distribution variables (avg-max VΔZLine , VΔZLine ), global peak flows, inhomogeneity factor, and estimated tidal volume. Horses with decompensated LCVO were assessed before and after administration of furosemide. Variables for healthy and LCVO-affected horses were compared using a Mann-Whitney test or unpaired t-test and observations from compensated and decompensated horses are reported.ResultsCompared to the healthy horses, the LCVO cohort had significantly less VAL (mean difference 3.02; 95% confidence interval .77-5.2; P = .02), more VAR (-1.13; -2.18 to -.08; P = .04), smaller avg-max VΔZLLine (2.54; 1.07-4.00; P = .003) and VΔZLLine (median difference 5.40; 1.71-9.09; P = .01). Observation of EIT alterations were reflected by clinical signs in horses with decompensated LCVO and after administration of furosemide.Conclusions and clinical importanceEIT measurements of ventilation distribution showed less ventilation in the left lung of horses with LCVO and might be useful as an objective assessment of the ventilation effects of cardiogenic pulmonary disease in horses.
Project description:ObjectivesTo provide proof-of-concept for a protocol applying a strategy of personalized mechanical ventilation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Positive end-expiratory pressure and inspiratory pressure settings were optimized using real-time electrical impedance tomography aiming to maximize lung recruitment while minimizing lung overdistension.DesignProspective interventional trial.SettingTwo PICUs.PatientsEight children with early acute respiratory distress syndrome (< 72 hr).InterventionsOn 3 consecutive days, electrical impedance tomography-guided positive end-expiratory pressure titration was performed by using regional compliance analysis. The Acute Respiratory Distress Network high/low positive end-expiratory pressure tables were used as patient's safety guardrails. Driving pressure was maintained constant. Algorithm includes the following: 1) recruitment of atelectasis: increasing positive end-expiratory pressure in steps of 4 mbar; 2) reduction of overdistension: decreasing positive end-expiratory pressure in steps of 2 mbar until electrical impedance tomography shows collapse; and 3) maintaining current positive end-expiratory pressure and check regional compliance every hour. In case of derecruitment start at step 1.Measurements and main resultsLung areas classified by electrical impedance tomography as collapsed or overdistended were changed on average by -9.1% (95% CI, -13.7 to -4.4; p < 0.001) during titration. Collapse was changed by -9.9% (95% CI, -15.3 to -4.5; p < 0.001), while overdistension did not increase significantly (0.8%; 95% CI, -2.9 to 4.5; p = 0.650). A mean increase of the positive end-expiratory pressure level (1.4 mbar; 95% CI, 0.6-2.2; p = 0.008) occurred after titration. Global respiratory system compliance and gas exchange improved (global respiratory system compliance: 1.3 mL/mbar, 95% CI [-0.3 to 3.0], p = 0.026; Pao2: 17.6 mm Hg, 95% CI [7.8-27.5], p = 0.0039; and Pao2/Fio2 ratio: 55.2 mm Hg, 95% CI [27.3-83.2], p < 0.001, all values are change in pre vs post).ConclusionsElectrical impedance tomography-guided positive end-expiratory pressure titration reduced regional lung collapse without significant increase of overdistension, while improving global compliance and gas exchange in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Project description:The aim of this study was to examine whether electrical impedance tomography (EIT) could determine the presence of ventilation inhomogeneity in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) from measurements carried out not only during conventional forced full expiration maneuvers but also from forced inspiration maneuvers and quiet tidal breathing and whether the inhomogeneity levels were comparable among the phases and higher than in healthy subjects. EIT data were acquired in 52 patients with exacerbated COPD (11 women, 41 men, 68 ± 11 years) and 14 healthy subjects (6 women, 8 men, 38 ± 8 years). Regional lung function parameters of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC), forced inspiratory volume in 1 s (FIV1), and tidal volume (V T ) were determined in 912 image pixels. The spatial inhomogeneity of the pixel parameters was characterized by the coefficients of variation (CV) and the global inhomogeneity (GI) index. CV and GI values of pixel FVC, FEV1, FIVC, FIV1, and VT were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (p ≤ 0.0001). The ventilation distribution was affected by the analyzed lung function parameter in patients (CV: p = 0.0024, GI: p = 0.006) but not in healthy subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that CV and GI discriminated patients from healthy subjects with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.835 and 0.852 (FVC), 0.845 and 0.867 (FEV1), 0.903 and 0.903 (FIVC), 0.891 and 0.882 (FIV1), and 0.821 and 0.843 (VT), respectively. These findings confirm the ability of EIT to identify increased ventilation inhomogeneity in patients with COPD.
Project description:The aim was to examine the effects of recumbency and anaesthesia on distribution of ventilation in beagle dogs using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). Nine healthy beagle dogs, aging 3.7±1.7 (mean±SD) years and weighing 16.3±1.6 kg, received a series of treatments in a fixed order on a single occasion. Conscious dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency (RLR) and equipped with 32 EIT electrodes around the thorax. Following five minutes of equilibration, two minutes of EIT recordings were made in each recumbency in the following order: RLR, dorsal (DR), left (LLR) and sternal (SR). The dogs were then positioned in RLR, premedicated (medetomidine 0.01, midazolam 0.1, butorphanol 0.1 mg kg-1 iv) and pre-oxygenated. Fifteen minutes later anaesthesia was induced with 1 mg kg-1 propofol iv and maintained with propofol infusion (0.1-0.2 mg kg-1 minute-1 iv). After induction, the animals were intubated and allowed to breathe spontaneously (FIO2 = 1). Recordings of EIT were performed again in four recumbencies similarly to conscious state. Centre of ventilation (COV) and global inhomogeneity (GI) index were calculated from the functional EIT images. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). None of the variables changed in the conscious state. During anaesthesia left-to-right COV increased from 46.8±2.8% in DR to 49.8±2.9% in SR indicating a right shift, and ventral-to-dorsal COV increased from 49.8±1.7% in DR to 51.8±1.1% in LLR indicating a dorsal shift in distribution of ventilation. Recumbency affected distribution of ventilation in anaesthetized but not in conscious dogs. This can be related to loss of respiratory muscle tone (e.g. diaphragm) and changes in thoracic shape. Changing position of thoraco-abdominal organs under the EIT belt should be considered as alternative explanation of these findings.