Evaluation of Regional Ventilation Distribution Using Electrical Impedance Tomography During Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation

Evaluation of Regional Ventilation Distribution Using Electrical Impedance Tomography During Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation

The goal of this physiological cross-over clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of different clinically used weaning trials on regional mechanical ventilation in a population of patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure.

The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

• to evaluate which weaning trial is associated to a better regional ventilation distribution
• to evaluate which weaning trial can be comparable to ventilation distribution after extubation

Participants will undergo 3 clinically used weaning trials in a random order (cross-over trial). Researchers will compare the different steps to see if regional ventilation distribution is different among the different trial .

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18 and < 70 years
• Ready to be weaned from mechanical ventilation according to clinical criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years or > 70 years
• Presence of chest drains
• Presence of pacemaker/impantable cardiac device;
• diagnosis of Pneumothorax, or pneumomediastinum
• Diagnois of neuromuscular diseases
• Use of neuromuscular blockers in the 48 hours before screening;
• Body mass index > 35 kg/m2
• Refusal to participate of the patient/next of kin