Application of Electrical Impedance Tomography-Guided Pulmonary Rehabilitation Strategy in Patients with Respiratory Failure

This study investigated pulmonary rehabilitation strategies guided by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in patients with respiratory failure. A total of 92 patients with respiratory failure admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary Grade A hospital in Chongqing from July 2024 to January 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 46 cases in each group, using a random number table. The control group received conventional pulmonary physical therapy nursing strategies. The experimental group additionally received EIT-guided positioning, vibratory sputum clearance, and early mobilization. Relative regional tidal-ventilation distribution, PaO₂/FiO₂, respiratory rate, and pulse oxygen saturation were assessed at baseline and on the following three days; ICU stay, and delirium incidence were also compared. Finally, 44 cases in the control group and 44 cases in the experimental group completed the study. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant time effects across the four ventral-to-dorsal layers and significant group and interaction effects for the dorsal layer. Dorsal ventilation share was higher in the experimental group on days 2 and 3, but not significantly different on day 1. No significant group, time, or interaction effects were found for the four lung quadrants. The experimental group had higher PaO₂/FiO₂, shorter ICU stay (6.55 vs. 7.75 days), and lower delirium incidence (25.0% vs. 45.5%). Respiratory rate decreased, and pulse oxygen saturation increased over time in both groups, without significant group or interaction effects. The EIT-guided strategy may improve regional ventilation distribution and oxygenation, shorten ICU stay, and reduce delirium in patients with respiratory failure.