COVID-19 Pneumonia Phenotypes Detection with Electrical Impedance Tomography

ABSTRACT

It was reported that COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) comes at least in two different phenotypes. Different responses and outcomes to typical positive end-expiration pressure (PEEP) trial are found in those different phenotypes. Lung recruitability during a PEEP trial can be used to identify different phenotypes to help improve the patient outcome. In this study, we analysed overdistention and collapse ratio with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) monitoring data on four severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients to identify their phenotypes. Results demonstrate the different patient responses to a PEEP trial, and showed the developing change in patient status over time. In one patient a possible phenotype transition was identified. We suggest that EIT may be a practical tool to identify phenotypes and to provide information about COVID-19 pneumonia progression. © 2022 The Author(s), published by De Gruyter.