Bedside saline-contrast electrical impedance tomography for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study compares a bedside saline-contrast electrical impedance tomography (EIT) method with standard computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism. Patients with suspected or confirmed acute PE and acute respiratory failure will undergo both saline-contrast EIT and CTPA within 24 hours. The EIT procedure uses a short saline bolus injected through central or peripheral venous access while an electrode belt measures impedance changes to map lung perfusion. Study findings will compare EIT and CTPA results for consistency to determine whether EIT reliably detects perfusion defects consistent with PE.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with clinically suspected or confirmed acute pulmonary embolism (PE) presenting with acute respiratory failure;
2. Availability of CTPA results within 24 hours or scheduled to undergo CTPA within the next 24 hours;
3. Age \>18 years; no gender restrictions;
4. Presence of central venous access (internal jugular or subclavian vein) or peripheral forearm venous access;
5. Willingness to participate with signed informed consent from either the patient or legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy or lactation;
2. Relative contraindications to EIT examination (e.g., chest wall wounds at electrode belt placement site, presence of pacemakers);
3. Severe hypernatremia (serum sodium \>155 mmol/L);
4. Inability to maintain expiratory breath-hold for ≥8 seconds;
5. BMI \>50 or severe thoracic deformities;
6. Current extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy.

Where it's running

• Department of Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Huaiwu He
• Email: tjmuhhw@163.com
• Phone: 01069152301

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.