EIT-Guided PEEP Optimization in Trauma and Postoperative ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a serious and often fatal complication in patients following severe trauma or major surgery. Mechanical ventilation is essential for supportive care in this population, but may aggravate lung injury when suboptimal ventilatory settings are applied. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is crucial for maintaining alveolar recruitment; however, optimal PEEP selection in trauma- or postoperative-associated ARDS remains uncertain. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) enables bedside, real-time assessment of regional ventilation and may support optimal PEEP titration by balancing alveolar overdistension and collapse. This study compares EIT-guided PEEP optimization with the conventional low FiO₂-PEEP strategy in terms of oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in patients with moderate to severe ARDS following trauma or surgery.

NCT Number	NCT07313644
Lead Sponsor	Nguyen Dang Thu Collaborators: Hanoi Medical University, Viet Duc University Hospital
Conditions	Acute Respiratory Syndrome Distress, Positive End-Expiratory Pressure, Electrical Impedance Tomography, Trauma and Postoperative Pulmonary Insufficiency
Enrollment	80 participants
Start Date	2025-03-15
Primary Completion	2026-08-15 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12-15 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-02