Mechanical Ventilation Guided by Electrical Impedance Tomography in Children With Acute Lung Injury.

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. PATIENTS: Eight 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;

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.