Electrical Impedance Tomography: the future of mechanical ventilation?

Abstract

Electrical Impedance Tomography is a rapidly evolving technology used for bedside lung imaging. Although EIT devices have been commercially available for the past decade, they are still not commonly used in everyday clinical practice. EIT has multiple benefits over standard chest imaging techniques; it is non-invasive, it can be used at bedside and it allows continuous monitoring of the patient’s condition. EIT can change the standard practice for monitoring lung function and caring for patients on mechanical ventilation. In this concise review, we will discuss the general concepts of EIT and its clinical applications. As this technology keeps developing and becomes more available for clinical use, it might revolutionize the way we practice mechanical ventilation. Additional studies need to be performed to compare its benefits to our current practice. Keywords: EIT, Mechanical ventilation, PEEP, Overdistention