Regional Ventilation Evaluation During Neuro-injury Weaning Study

This study evaluates changes in regional lung ventilation using thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) during the weaning process from mechanical ventilation in ICU patients with acute brain injury. It aims to identify predictive EIT patterns related to extubation outcomes.

This is a prospective, single-center pilot study conducted in the intensive care unit. The study focuses on adult patients with acute brain injury requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. The aim is to assess regional alveolar ventilation using thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) during different stages of ventilator weaning, including changes in ventilatory mode, spontaneous breathing trials, and, when feasible, around extubation or decannulation. EIT provides dynamic, non-invasive real-time imaging of regional pulmonary ventilation. Data will be collected using a 16-electrode thoracic belt and analyzed retrospectively with dedicated software. The primary outcome measure is the Absolute Ventral-to-Dorsal Ventilation Difference, calculated from predefined regions of interest. Secondary outcomes include correlations with traditional ventilatory parameters (tidal volume, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation), end-expiratory impedance variation (ΔEELI), compliance changes, and extubation or decannulation failure defined by the need for reintubation within 7 days. This study aims to improve understanding of regional ventilation patterns in brain-injured patients and assess the potential of EIT to predict weaning outcomes and guide personalized ventilatory strategies.