Using lung ultrasound and Doppler to differentiate lung infections from atelectasis in ventilated patients

Role of Lung Ultrasound Imaging and Pulsed-wave Doppler in the Assessment of Lung Consolidations in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

Not applicable Interventional Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) · NCT02100449

This study is testing if lung ultrasound and Doppler can help doctors tell the difference between lung infections and collapsed lungs in patients on ventilators to improve treatment and outcomes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment64 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Academic / other
Locations1 site (Montreal, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT02100449 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of lung ultrasound and pulsed-wave Doppler in distinguishing between infectious lung consolidations and atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients. It aims to improve the diagnostic accuracy for ventilator-associated pneumonia, which is often misdiagnosed using traditional chest radiography. By measuring regional acceleration time (RAcT) in pulmonary consolidations, the study seeks to provide a non-invasive and timely diagnostic tool that could expedite treatment initiation and potentially reduce mortality rates. The study will involve patients who are under mechanical ventilation and show signs of lung consolidations on imaging.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are mechanically ventilated patients presenting with one or more lung consolidations visible on chest imaging.

Not a fit: Patients who have contraindications to bronchoscopy or poor echogenicity due to factors like morbid obesity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of lung infections, improving patient outcomes in critically ill individuals.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of lung ultrasound in critical care is gaining traction, this specific approach combining Doppler measurements for differentiation has not been widely tested, making it a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Under mechanical ventilation and presenting one or more consolidations on chest radiography or CT scan

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participation to another study
* Poor echogenicity (morbid obesity, multiple thoracic dressings)
* Contra-indications to superior limbs or torso mobilization
* Contra-indications to bronchoscopy
* Antibiotics initiated more than 24 hours but less than 72 hours before inclusion or changes in the antibiotic regimen in the last 72 hours.

Where this trial is running

Montreal, Quebec

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 AtelectasisPneumoniaLung ultrasoundDoppler
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.