Inhomogeneous Ventilation in Adult Post-neurosurgical Patients

Inhomogeneous Ventilation in Adult Post-neurosurgical Patients: an Observational Study

Inhomogeneous ventilation was more likely to happen in patients after general anesthesia. Inhomogeneous ventilation may associate with ventilator-induced lung injury. A large number of post-neurosurgical patients was delayed extubation and received mechanical ventilation, so that, inhomogeneous ventilation was more likely to happen in the population. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an noninvasive, radiation-free, high temporal resolution, relatively cheap technique in monitoring ventilation distribution bedside. The investigators aimed to investigate the incidence of inhomogeneous ventilation and factors associated with inhomogeneous ventilation in post-neurosurgical patients under mechanical ventilation.

Inhomogeneous ventilation was more likely to happen in patients after general anesthesia. Inhomogeneous ventilation may associate with ventilator-induced lung injury since the gravity-depend collapse and over-distention of nondependent regional in patients under mechanical ventilation. A large number of post-neurosurgical patients was delayed extubation and received mechanical ventilation, so that, inhomogeneous ventilation was more likely to happen in the population. Up to now, there is no research reported about the prevalence of inhomogeneous ventilation and the factors associated with inhomogeneous ventilation in post-neurosurgical patients, in present study, The investigators prospectively enrolled adult patients after neurosurgical operations. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an noninvasive, radiation-free, high temporal resolution, relatively cheap technique in monitoring ventilation distribution bedside. The investigators aimed to investigate the incidence of inhomogeneous ventilation and factors associated with inhomogeneous ventilation in post-neurosurgical patients under mechanical ventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Undergoing elective neurosurgery operation
• Trachea intubated and mechanical ventilated

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age under 18 years-old
• Unstable hemodynamics patients (mean arterial pressure under 65mmHg) after pharmacotherapy
• History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) or asthma
• Contraindication of using EIT (pacemaker, defibrillator, and implantable pumps)
• Unable to install EIT belt (skin infection, wound)
• Incompleteness of thorax (e.g. pneumothorax, rib fracture and etc.) or malformation of thorax.