Observational Study Evaluating Pulsatile Electrical Impedance Tomography for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating pulsatile electrical impedance tomography EIT as a noninvasive, bedside, radiation-free method to diagnose and monitor acute pulmonary embolism, a serious type of venous thromboembolism. The study includes both retrospective and prospective phases to compare EIT parameters with CT pulmonary angiography and clinical indicators. This observational research aims to assess whether EIT can aid in diagnosis, risk stratification, and dynamic treatment monitoring for patients with pulmonary embolism. The study uses pulsatile EIT to measure ventilation-perfusion matching index, dead-space ventilation index, and intrapulmonary shunt index. In the retrospective phase, existing clinical and EIT data from patients confirmed with pulmonary embolism and healthy controls are collected and compared. The prospective phase enrolls newly diagnosed patients and healthy volunteers, performing EIT examinations alongside routine clinical evaluations and follow-up. Serial EIT measurements may track changes during treatment and recovery. No study treatments are assigned clinical care follows standard practice. Participants will undergo EIT examinations and routine clinical assessments including CT pulmonary angiography, D-dimer tests, and echocardiography. Researchers will measure diagnostic accuracy of EIT parameters and their correlation with embolic burden, thrombus location, clinical risk, and patient outcomes. Dynamic changes in EIT readings during treatment and follow-up will also be evaluated. The study spans multiple centers and involves healthy volunteers, with participation lasting through initial diagnosis and follow-up periods as determined by clinical care.

Pulsatile Electrical Impedance Tomography for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Acute Pulmonary Embolism