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Predicting early prone position ventilation responsiveness in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome based on electrical impedance tomography: a prospective study.

Critical care (London, England)2025-12-05PubMed
Total: 64.0Innovation: 7Impact: 5Rigor: 7Citation: 5

Summary

In 94 adults with moderate-to-severe ARDS, 83% responded to prone positioning. Pre-prone EIT-derived dorsal shunt percentage (ROI 3) and higher respiratory system compliance differentiated responders, enabling early prediction of PPV benefit.

Key Findings

  • Among 94 ARDS patients, 78 (83%) were PPV responders and 16 (17%) were nonresponders.
  • Higher pre-prone dorsal (ROI 3) shunt percentage measured by EIT predicted PPV responsiveness.
  • Responders exhibited higher respiratory system compliance than nonresponders.

Clinical Implications

Use baseline EIT to estimate dorsal shunt percentage before proning; patients with higher pre-prone dorsal shunt and better compliance are more likely to benefit from PPV, aiding selection and timing.

Why It Matters

Provides a bedside, physiology-based predictor of prone responsiveness using EIT, supporting precision ventilation and reducing unnecessary PPV exposure.

Limitations

  • Single-center study limiting generalizability
  • Incomplete reporting of some numerical thresholds and potential confounders

Future Directions

Validate EIT-based shunt metrics and thresholds in multicenter cohorts and test EIT-guided proning strategies in randomized trials.

Study Information

Study Type
Cohort
Research Domain
Diagnosis
Evidence Level
III - Single-center prospective observational cohort assessing physiological predictors of prone response
Study Design
OTHER