To describe, through a narrative review, the physiologic principles underlying electrical impedance tomography, and its potential applications in managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). To address the current evidence supporting its use in different clinical scenarios along the ARDS management continuum. DATA SOURCES:We performed an online search in Pubmed to review articles. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register, and clinicaltrials.gov for controlled trials databases. STUDY SELECTION:Selected publications included case series, pilot-physiologic studies, observational cohorts, and randomized controlled trials. To describe the rationale underlying physiologic principles, we included experimental studies.DATA EXTRACTION: Data from relevant publications were reviewed, analyzed, and its content summarized.DATA SYNTHESIS: Electrical impedance tomography is an imaging technique that has aided in understanding the mechanisms underlying multiple interventions used in ARDS management. It has the potential to monitor and predict the response to prone positioning, aid in the dosage of flow rate in high-flow nasal cannula, and guide the titration of positive-end expiratory pressure during invasive mechanical ventilation. The latter has been demonstrated to improve physiologic and mechanical parameters correlating with lung recruitment. Similarly, its use in detecting pneumothorax and harmful patient-ventilator interactions such as pendelluft has been proven effective. Nonetheless, its impact on clinically meaningful outcomes remains to be determined. CONCLUSIONS:Electrical impedance tomography is a potential tool for the individualized management of ARDS throughout its different stages. Clinical trials should aim to determine whether a specific approach can improve clinical outcomes in ARDS management.

Background In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can lead to recruitment or overdistension. Current strategies utilized for PEEP titration do not permit the distinction. Electric impedance tomography (EIT) detects and quantifies the presence of both collapse and overdistension. We investigated whether using EIT-guided PEEP titration leads to decreased mechanical power compared to high-PEEP/FiO2 tables. Methods A single-center, randomized crossover pilot trial comparing EIT-guided PEEP selection versus PEEP selection using the High-PEEP/FiO2 table in patients with moderate–severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The primary outcome was the change in mechanical power after each PEEP selection strategy. Secondary outcomes included changes in the 4 × driving pressure + respiratory rate (4 ΔP, + RR index) index, driving pressure, plateau pressure, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and static compliance. Results EIT was consistently associated with a decrease in mechanical power compared to PEEP/FiO2 tables (mean difference − 4.36 J/min, 95% CI − 6.7, − 1.95, p = 0.002) and led to lower values in the 4ΔP + RR index (− 11.42 J/min, 95% CI − 19.01, − 3.82, p = 0.007) mainly driven by a decrease in the elastic–dynamic power (− 1.61 J/min, − 2.99, − 0.22, p = 0.027). The elastic–static and resistive powers were unchanged. Similarly, EIT led to a statistically significant change in set PEEP (− 2 cmH2O, p = 0.046), driving pressure, (− 2.92 cmH2O, p = 0.003), peak pressure (− 6.25 cmH2O, p = 0.003), plateau pressure (− 4.53 cmH2O, p = 0.006), and static respiratory system compliance (+ 7.93 ml/cmH2O, p = 0.008). Conclusions In patients with moderate–severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, EIT-guided PEEP titration reduces mechanical power mainly through a reduction in elastic–dynamic power. Trial registration This trial was prospectively registered on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 03793842) on January 4th, 2019.