Electrical impedance tomography in pulmonary arterial hypertension

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 17;16(3):e0248214. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248214. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The characterization of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) relies mainly on right heart catheterization (RHC). Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) provides a non-invasive estimation of lung perfusion that could complement the hemodynamic information from RHC. To assess the association between impedance variation of lung perfusion (ΔZQ) and hemodynamic profile, severity, and prognosis, suspected of PAH or worsening PAH patients were submitted simultaneously to RHC and EIT. Measurements of ΔZQ were obtained. Based on the results of the RHC, 35 patients composed the PAH group, and eight patients, the normopressoric (NP) group. PAH patients showed a significantly reduced ΔZQ compared to the NP group. There was a significant correlation between ΔZQ and hemodynamic parameters, particularly with stroke volume (SV) (r = 0.76; P < 0.001). At 60 months, 15 patients died (43%) and 1 received lung transplantation; at baseline they had worse hemodynamics, and reduced ΔZQ when compared to survivors. Patients with low ΔZQ (≤154.6%.Kg) presented significantly worse survival (P = 0.033). ΔZQ is associated with hemodynamic status of PAH patients, with disease severity and survival, demonstrating EIT as a promising tool for monitoring patients with pulmonary vascular disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Electric Impedance
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension / physiopathology*
  • Tomography
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo). http://www.fapesp.br/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.