A Pilot Study of a New Ultrasonographic Tool to Assess Regional Pulmonary Strain in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Suffering From Pulmonary Diseases in an Intensive Care Setting

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to develop a new ultrasonographic method to measure regional pulmonary strain in patients who have lung diseases and are receiving mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit. Mechanical ventilation, while often necessary, can sometimes cause lung injury due to excessive strain or overdistension, especially in patients with severe lung conditions. The study intends to collect initial data on local pleural strain to assist in planning larger studies and potentially help prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. The study involves using lung ultrasonography to image the pleura at four specific locations on the chest in mechanically ventilated patients. The imaging will be performed using a Terason device with a 12L5 linear ultrasound probe, positioned perpendicularly to the pleura. Three consecutive breathing cycles will be recorded at each site. An experienced ultrasonographer and a technician will analyze the images using an algorithm to calculate various pulmonary strain measurements. Participants will undergo lung ultrasound imaging during their ICU stay, with images taken at four predetermined sites on the chest. Researchers will measure several strain components such as lateral and axial deformation and shear using specialized software. The primary outcome is the average absolute lateral deformation measured on the first day. Other measurements include various deformation ranges and shear values. The study's total duration for each participant is based on data collected during Day 1 of their ICU ventilation period.

A New Ultrasonographic Tool to Assess Pulmonary Strain in the ICU