Monitoring Respiratory Muscle Function in Acute Respiratory Failure Patients Requiring Non-invasive Respiratory Support (MONITOR-NIV): A Prospective Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

Acute respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition where the lungs cannot supply enough oxygen to the body. Many patients receive non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) like high-flow nasal oxygen, CPAP, or BiPAP, but up to half still worsen and need invasive ventilation, which can cause longer hospital stays and complications. This research investigates whether two advanced, non-invasive, radiation-free tools—ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography (EIT)—can be effectively used at the bedside to monitor breathing muscle function and lung changes in patients on NRS outside intensive care settings. Participants will undergo repeated ultrasound and EIT assessments up to seven times during the first 72 hours after starting NRS, with an additional measurement if they improve or worsen. Ultrasound measures muscle thickness, movement, and lung aeration, while EIT uses electrodes around the chest to monitor lung air and blood flow continuously. Clinical staff involved in patient care will also complete questionnaires and may participate in interviews to evaluate how useful and practical these monitoring tools are in clinical decision-making. Throughout the study, routine clinical data such as heart rate, oxygen levels, respiratory rate, and treatment settings will be recorded alongside the advanced monitoring results. Researchers will assess the usability of these tools for clinicians, track changes in respiratory muscles and lungs over time, and explore links between these changes and treatment outcomes like intubation or death. Participation lasts during the early phase of NRS, with multiple assessments and safety measures to ensure patient comfort and data quality.

Monitoring Respiratory Muscle Function in Acute Respiratory Failure Patients on Non Invasive Respiratory Support