Electrical impedance tomography in pediatric patients with COVID-19, the first reports

Abstract

Introduction Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive, radiation-free, bedside tool to monitor ventilation distribution in real time. Objective To evaluate, in pediatric COVID-19 patients, the ventilation distribution using EIT and compare it to thoracic computed tomography (TCT) or chest radiograph results obtained in these patients. Methods This was a prospective, observational clinical study including pediatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital. The patients monitored with EIT tested positive for COVID-19 and were submitted to the previously mentioned radiation exams. EIT monitoring lasted 15 min and no sedation was used. Results Six patients were included in this study. The main differences observed in the EIT were in the right-left distribution and were compatible with the morphological changes found in the TCT or radiograph images due to COVID-19 infection. Conclusion We conclude that EIT is ready to investigate the ventilatory profile present at different lung diseases, including COVID-19, and might postpone or mitigate the need of repeated ionizing radiation exams in the pediatric population, although larger pediatric cohorts comparing to standard radiological imaging are needed.

Advances of deep learning in electrical impedance tomography image reconstruction

“…For example, Draeger Medical Devices has developed the first commercial EIT equipment for pulmonary function monitoring and conducted several clinical studies ( Bickenbach et al, 2017 ; Eronia et al, 2017 ; Longhini et al, 2019 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ). Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, EIT has provided a potential reference for the decision-making of patients' treatment ( Hsu et al, 2021 ; Nascimento et al, 2021 ; Bayford et al, 2022 ), thereby demonstrating the significant clinical application value of pulmonary EIT in the management of patients suffering from severe respiratory failure ( Zhao et al, 2020 ; Bronco et al, 2021 ). In the case of brain injury monitoring, Fu et al demonstrated the important role of EIT in the treatment of mannitol dehydration ( Fu et al, 2014 ).…”

Bronchodilator effect on regional lung function in pediatric viral lower respiratory tract infections

“…Recently it has been applied to pediatric patients with COVID-19 (Nascimento et al 2021). EIT has been successfully used to observe bronchodilator effects in both children and adults (Frerichs et al 2016, Ngo et al 2018.…”