Pulsatile Electrical Impedance Tomography to Diagnose and Monitor 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 multicenter observational study will evaluate pulsatile electrical impedance tomography (EIT) for diagnosing and monitoring acute pulmonary embolism. The project includes retrospective data and a prospective enrollment to compare EIT-derived ventilation-perfusion indices with CT pulmonary angiography and clinical indicators. Key EIT metrics include the ventilation-perfusion matching index, dead-space ventilation index, and intrapulmonary shunt index. The goal is to determine if EIT can provide a noninvasive, bedside method for risk stratification and dynamic treatment monitoring, potentially reducing radiation exposure and contrast use. Results will inform the diagnostic and monitoring utility of EIT in acute PE management.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18 years or older. For retrospective PE cases: patients with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography, with completed pulsatile electrical impedance tomography examination, adequate image data, and available clinical information.

For retrospective healthy controls: adults without evidence of lower-extremity venous thrombosis, with normal D-dimer levels, simplified Wells score ≤1, and no pulmonary embolism-related symptoms or history.

For prospective PE patients: patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary embolism by CT pulmonary angiography or CT pulmonary angiography plus CT venography, with body mass index less than 50 kg/m², who voluntarily participate and provide written informed consent.

For prospective non-PE controls: patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism who undergo CT pulmonary angiography or CT pulmonary angiography plus CT venography, but in whom pulmonary embolism is not confirmed, who voluntarily participate and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous diagnosis of chronic pulmonary embolism or idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or other severe cardiopulmonary diseases that may interfere with study assessment.

Pregnancy or lactation. Thoracic deformity. Contraindications to EIT examination, including automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, chest wounds limiting electrode belt placement, implanted pumps, or other conditions unsuitable for EIT electrode belt placement.

Participation in another clinical trial during the same period, for prospective participants.

Unstable vital signs requiring emergency rescue, leaving no time to complete EIT examination, for prospective participants.

Any other condition considered unsuitable for participation by the investigators.

Where it's running

• Chenzhou First People's Hospital
  Chenzhou, Hunan, China Recruiting
• Peking Union Medical College Hospital
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Not yet recruiting
• Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Not yet recruiting
• Loudi Central Hospital
  Loudi, Hunan, China Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: weiwei Wu, MD — Beijing Tsinghua Changgeng Hospital
• Study coordinator: jiazheng Li, MD
• Email: ljzs00357@btch.edu.cn
• Phone: +86-18810886832

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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.