Electrical impedance tomography as a tool for monitoring mechanical ventilation. An introduction to the technique

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free method of diagnostics imaging, allowing for a bedside, real-time dynamic assessment of lung function. It stands as an alternative for other imagining methods, such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. Even though the technique is rather novel, it has a wide variety of possible applications. In the era of modern mechanical ventilation, a dynamic assessment of patient's respiratory condition appears to fulfil the idea of personalized treatment. Additionally, an increasing frequency of respiratory failure among intensive care populations raises demand for improved monitoring tools. This review aims to raise awareness and presents possible implications for the use of EIT in the intensive care setting.     

生物电阻抗矢量法评估血液透析合并高血压患者的容量负荷

目的应用生物电阻抗矢量法评估血液透析合并高血压患者的容量负荷,探讨高容量负荷状态对高血压患者预后的影响。方法研究对象来自南京医科大学附属明基医院透析前收缩压(6次透析治疗前平均收缩压值)>160 mmHg的血液透析患者。用生物电阻抗矢量法评估患者容量状态,并根据患者容量状态分为容量增加组和非容量增加组(包括容量正常和容量下降的患者)。比较两组患者临床资料、实验室指标、细胞内液比例(ICW)、细胞外液比例(ECW)、体细胞质量、瘦体重、干瘦体重及其占总体重的百分比、脂肪含量占总体重的百分比、阻抗/身高、容抗/身高、相位角、疾病指数的差异。采用Kaplan⁃Meier生存曲线比较两组患者生存率的差异。结果共51例血液透析合并高血压患者入选本研究,容量增加组19例,非容量增加组32例(容量正常27例,容量下降5例)。容量增加组患者的血白蛋白、前白蛋白、血红蛋白、血细胞比容、血磷较非容量增加组显著下降,淋巴细胞比例明显升高,组间比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。容量增加组的细胞外液比例、疾病指数显著高于非容量增加组(均P<0.01);相位角、阻抗/身高、容抗/身高显著低于非容量增加组(均P<0.01)。临床追踪20个月,容量增加组患者血压达标率(透析前收缩压<160 mmHg)低于非容量增加组(26.3%比43.8%),但差异无统计学意义。容量增加组患者全因死亡率高于非容量增加组(26.3%比15.6%),Kaplan⁃Meier生存曲线分析提示两组生存率的差异尚无统计学意义。结论容量负荷增加的血液透析合并高血压患者细胞外液增加明显,营养状态评估指标较非容量增加的高血压患者明显下降,而淋巴细胞比例升高,可能与患者微炎症状态有关。容量负荷增加的高血压患者血压更加难以控制,临床预后可能不及非容量增加的患者。     

电阻抗断层成像技术在儿科呼吸系统疾病诊治中的应用

电阻抗断层成像技术(electrical impedance tomography,EIT)作为一项新兴的功能性成像技术,具有无损伤、便携、图像监护等突出特点。肺功能成像是目前EIT最主要的应用领域,可以实现实时动态监测肺通气及血流灌注。本文对肺EIT在儿童呼吸系统疾病及其诊疗过程中的应用基础及临床研究进展进行总结,为未来EIT技术在儿科临床急救领域的推广应用提供帮助。     

Endothelial function,regulation of angiogenesis and embryonic central hemodynamics in ART-conceived pregnancies

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of pro- and anti-angiogenic growth factors, nitric oxide (NO) stable metabolites in maternal serum and embryonic left ventricular (LV) isovolumic relaxation time (IRT, ms) during the first trimester in two groups of women: with pregnancy conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART, n?=?39) and normally conceived (control group, n?=?68) pregnancy. The concentration of vasoconstrictor endothelin 1 was 45.5 times more in ART than in control group. On the contrary, the concentrations of NO stable metabolites in ART were 1.9 times less than in control women. The assessment of angiogenic suppressors in ART women demonstrates the decrease in s-endoglin concentration was 1.6 times and in soluble receptor to vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was 2.0 times in comparison with control group. There was a significant increase in LV IRT in ART embryos in comparison to control ones. These data suggest significant changes in pro- anti-angiogenic factors balance and increase in vascular impedance in ART-conceived embryos.     

Brain impedance variation of directional leads implanted in subthalamic nuclei of Parkinsonian patients

ObjectiveConventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems with ring-shaped leads generate spherical electrical fields. In contrast, novel directional leads use segmented electrodes. Aim of this study was to quantify the impedance variations over time in subjects with the directional Cartesia-Boston® system.MethodsImpedance records, programming settings, and clinical data of 11 consecutive Parkinsonian patients implanted with DBS directional leads in two Italian centers (Udine and Vicenza) were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected before starting stimulation (in the operating room and at days 5 and 40) and after switching stimulation on at the successive follow-up visits (1, 6 and 12 months).ResultsDirectional leads have significantly higher impedance than ring leads. Stimulated contacts had always lower impedance compared to non-stimulated contacts. Before DBS-on, all contacts had higher impedance in the operating room, with an initial decrease five days post-surgery and a subsequent increase at day 40, more evident for directional contacts. The impedance of directional leads increased post-implantation at 1 and 6 months with a plateau at 12 months.ConclusionsThere was a significant difference between the directional and ring leads at baseline (before activation of DBS) and during follow-up (chronic DBS).SignificanceOur study reveals new information about the impedance of segmented electrodes that is useful for patient management during the initial test period, as well as during long-term DBS follow-up.