Intrapulmonary percussion ventilation added to breathing support for adults with pneumonia on a ventilator

Efficacy and Safety of Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation in Patients With Pulmonary Infection Receiving Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Assessed by Electrical Impedance Tomography: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Zhongnan Hospital · NCT07453966

This trial will test whether adding intrapulmonary percussion ventilation (IPV) to usual airway clearance shortens time on a ventilator and improves lung ventilation in adults with pneumonia who are invasively mechanically ventilated.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment96 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorZhongnan Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
Trial IDNCT07453966 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with pneumonia who are invasively mechanically ventilated and have an oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) ≤ 300 and are expected to require ventilation ≥ 48 hours will receive either standard airway clearance alone or standard care plus intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV). The protocol includes serial electrical impedance tomography (EIT) monitoring at predefined time points to track regional and global lung ventilation and routine clinical and ventilator parameter assessments. Key outcomes include duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, changes in oxygenation and lung mechanics, pulmonary infection scores, and safety signals. Safety monitoring will pay particular attention to hemodynamic stability and intracranial pressure during IPV.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of pulmonary infection who are invasively mechanically ventilated with PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 and expected to need ventilation for at least 48 hours, with consent provided by a legal representative, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe hemodynamic instability, markedly elevated intracranial pressure, or other contraindications to IPV are unlikely to benefit and are excluded from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding IPV could shorten time on mechanical ventilation and improve oxygenation and regional lung ventilation, potentially reducing ICU complications and length of stay.

How similar studies have performed: IPV has been used for airway clearance in other settings, but randomized evidence in invasively ventilated pneumonia patients is limited, so applying IPV with serial EIT monitoring in this population is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. age ≥ 18 years
2. Meeting the diagnostic criteria for pulmonary infection: meeting the diagnostic criteria for hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia as defined in the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adults, or meeting the diagnostic criteria for community-acquired pneumonia as defined in the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults
3. Oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂) ≤ 300
4. Currently receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and expected to require mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 hours
5. Written informed consent provided by the patient's family member or legally authorized representative

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of severe hemodynamic instability (norepinephrine dose \> 0.5 μg/kg/min)
2. Markedly elevated intracranial pressure (\> 25 mmHg) or a condition requiring strict intracranial pressure control
3. Untreated tension pneumothorax or undrained mediastinal emphysema
4. Unstable chest wall, flail chest, recent thoracic surgery, or severe thoracic spine injury
5. Pregnant or breastfeeding women
6. Inability to place the EIT chest belt (e.g., open thoracic surgical wounds or skin lesions at the belt placement site)
7. Concurrent participation in another clinical trial

Where this trial is running

Wuhan, Hubei

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PneumoniaIntrapulmonary percussion ventilationmechanical ventilationelectrical impedance tomographypulmonary infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.