Non-Invasive Measurements of Changes in Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Intensive Care Unit Patients Using Electrical Impedance Tomography - A Feasibility Study

Launched by INSEL GRUPPE AG, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BERN · Aug 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to measure changes in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in critically ill patients using a special chest belt called electrical impedance tomography (EIT). This method is non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t require any surgery or insertion of devices into the body, unlike the traditional method which uses a catheter. The goal is to see if the EIT measurements are accurate enough to replace the more invasive technique in monitoring patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who are experiencing pulmonary artery hypertension.

To participate in this study, patients must be at least 18 years old, be intubated, and have a medical need to monitor their PAP and heart function using a pulmonary artery catheter. However, certain patients are not eligible, such as those with specific electronic devices in their chest, pregnant or nursing women, or those with certain injuries or skin conditions. Participants can expect to wear the EIT chest belt during their treatment, and researchers will compare its readings to the traditional method to evaluate its effectiveness. This study is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to improve how doctors monitor heart and lung health in critically ill patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18-year-old.
• • Intubated patients in the ICU with clinical decision to monitor PAP and cardiac output using a PAC.
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Patients with implanted or external thoracic electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker) or thoracic metal implants.
• • Known pregnancy or lactating patients.
• • Open lung injuries or pneumothorax.
• • Open wounds, drainages, burns or rashes of the upper thorax.
• • Estimated thoracic perimeter smaller than 66 cm or larger than 134 cm.
• • Known allergies to wound dressings or adhesives (e.g., gel electrodes)