Clinical Trial: Regional Lung Opening and Closing Pressures in Patients With Acute Lung Injury

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Measurement of Regional Lung Opening and Closing Pressures in Patients With Acute Lung Injury Using Electrical Impedance Tomography

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is the measurement of regional opening and closing pressures of lung tissue by electrical impedance tomography in lung healthy and patients with acute lung injury. These values might help the setting of positive endexpiratory pressure during artificial ventilation to avoid the cyclic opening and closing of alveoli.

Detailed Summary:

During artificial ventilation the cyclic opening and closing of alveoli during artificial ventilation results in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) in a higher mortality. A positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) is applied with the intention to avoid these cyclic opening and closing of alveoli. The distribution of ventilation in patients with ALI is extremely inhomogeneous, consequently there are different regional opening pressures needed to open up the alveoli and avoid closing. Finding the best level of PEEP in patients with injured lungs to avoid atelectasis and alveolar strain induced by inadequately high or low PEEP levels is a challenge.

The purpose of this study is to develop a protocol for measuring regional opening and closing pressures using the method of electrical impedance tomography in lung healthy and ALI patients. A ventilator setting guided by regional opening and closing pressures might help reducing the impairment of the lung by artificial ventilation.


Sponsor: University of Schleswig-Holstein

Current Primary Outcome: Measurement of regional lung opening pressures [ Time Frame: one year ]

For the measurement of regional opening pressures in lung healthy and acute lung injury an inspiratory low flow manoeuvre with synchronous measurement of regional ventilation and airway pressure is performed. The regional opening pressures are defined as the airway pressure to the point were the regional lung areas open up.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Measurement of regional closing pressures [ Time Frame: one year ]

For the measurement of regional closing pressures in lung healthy and acute lung injury an expiratory low flow manoeuvre with synchronous measurement of regional ventilation and airway pressure is performed. The regional closing pressures are defined as the airway pressure to the point were the regional lung areas start closing.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Schleswig-Holstein

Dates:
Date Received: April 19, 2010
Date Started:
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 20, 2010
Last Verified: March 2010