Introduction Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive, radiation-free, bedside tool to monitor ventilation distribution in real time. Objective To evaluate, in pediatric COVID-19 patients, the ventilation distribution using EIT and compare it to thoracic computed tomography (TCT) or chest radiograph results obtained in these patients. Methods This was a prospective, observational clinical study including pediatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital. The patients monitored with EIT tested positive for COVID-19 and were submitted to the previously mentioned radiation exams. EIT monitoring lasted 15 min and no sedation was used. Results Six patients were included in this study. The main differences observed in the EIT were in the right-left distribution and were compatible with the morphological changes found in the TCT or radiograph images due to COVID-19 infection. Conclusion We conclude that EIT is ready to investigate the ventilatory profile present at different lung diseases, including COVID-19, and might postpone or mitigate the need of repeated ionizing radiation exams in the pediatric population, although larger pediatric cohorts comparing to standard radiological imaging are needed.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Computed tomography, Electrical impedance tomography, Pediatric intensive care, 【초록키워드】 intensive care, pediatric, hospital, Ventilation, intensive care unit, tomography, Computed tomography, Electrical impedance tomography, COVID-19 infection, Chest, Pediatric patients, Lung diseases, Patient, distribution, Chest radiograph, patients, COVID-19 patients, clinical study, real time, Thoracic, noninvasive, electrical impedance, Radiation, Sedation, Pediatric patient, ionizing radiation, no sedation, ventilatory, morphological changes, positive, MONITOR, pediatric cohort, repeated, mitigate, objective, radiological, Result, tested, was used, evaluate, submitted, morphological change, 【제목키워드】 tomography, electrical impedance, Pediatric patient, with COVID-19,