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The Artificial Fluctuation of Electrical Impedance Tomography Tracings Induced by Air-Flow Mattress

Yan-Lin Yang, Yi-Min Zhou, Linlin Zhang* and Jian-Xin Zhou

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

Submission: February 21 2021; Published: September 30, 2021

*Corresponding author: Linlin Zhang, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 119, South 4th Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, China, Tel: 8610 59978451; Fax: 8610 59978019

How to cite this article: Yan-Lin Y, Yi-Min Z, Linlin Z, Jian-Xin Z. The Artificial Fluctuation of Electrical Impedance Tomography Tracings Induced by 002 Air-Flow Mattress. J Anest & Inten care med. 2021; 11(3): 555812. DOI 10.19080/JAICM.2021.11.555812

Summary

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a bedside, real-time and radiation-free monitoring technique for the dynamic change of the global and regional gas volume in the thoracic cage.

EIT was set up to guide the ventilation settings of a 56-year-old male undergoing volume-controlled ventilation due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The patient was sedated and paralyzed. After establishing the EIT system, we found a periodical fluctuation of EIT tracings (Figure 1a), while the settings of the ventilator did not change, and no spontaneous breathing were detected. At the same time, the air-flow mattress was used to prevent pressure ulcers. The rhythm of the inflation-deflation of the air-flow mattress was 10 min, which was the same as the time interval of the fluctuation in EIT tracing. After turning off the mattress pump, the fluctuation of the EIT curve disappeared.

EIT data analysis is usually performed offline. When the time scale in the EIT analysis software was displayed lower than 60 sec, such artificial fluctuation could not be identified easily (Figure 1b). This case reminds clinicians and researchers to check external artificial sources during EIT monitoring, especially for the air-flow mattress which is commonly used in critically ill patients.