Measuring esophageal pressure during one-lung ventilation in surgery

An Observational Study to Determine Feasibility and Validity of Esophageal and Transpulmonary Pressure Measurements During One Lung Ventilation

Observational Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NCT04725318

This study is testing if measuring pressure in the esophagus during one-lung ventilation can help doctors understand how well the lung is collapsing in patients having non-cardiac chest surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment25 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT04725318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the feasibility and validity of esophageal pressure measurements during one-lung ventilation in patients undergoing non-cardiac intrathoracic surgery. The study will involve measuring esophageal pressure using a balloon catheter and comparing these measurements to lung collapse estimated through Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). Patients will undergo a series of pressure recordings before, during, and after the initiation of one-lung ventilation while positioned for surgery. The goal is to establish a correlation between esophageal pressure and lung collapse during a positive end-expiratory pressure trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult patients undergoing non-cardiac intrathoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation.

Not a fit: Patients with COPD, active respiratory infections, or those who have had prior lung or esophageal surgeries may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the management of ventilation strategies during thoracic surgeries, enhancing patient safety and outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of measuring esophageal pressure during one-lung ventilation is not widely established, similar studies using EIT have shown promise in improving ventilation management.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery with OLV

Exclusion Criteria:

* COPD
* Active respiratory infection
* Prior lung resection
* Prior esophageal/gastric surgery
* Esophageal varices
* Patients under effective anticoagulation at time of surgery
* Pacemaker/ICD
* Pregnancy
* Inability to give written informed consent

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

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 SurgeryOne-lung VentilationOne-lung ventilationElectrical Impedance TomographyThoracic SurgeryEsophageal manometryTranspulmonary PressureLung-protective ventilation
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.