Pendelluft diagnosed from ventilator weaning indexes obtained through bioelectrical impedance tomography: a case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Today, through major technological advances in diagnostic resources within medicine, evaluation and monitoring of clinical parameters at the patient’s bedside in intensive care units (ICUs) has become possible. CASE REPORT: This case report presents results and interpretations from predictive mechanical ventilation weaning indexes obtained through monitoring using chest electrical bioimpedance tomography. These indexes included maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, shallow breathing index and spontaneous breathing test. These were correlated with variations in tidal volume variables, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation. Regarding the air distribution behavior in the pulmonary parenchyma, the patient showed the pendelluft phenomenon. Pendelluft occurs due to the time constant (product of the airways resistance and compliance) asymmetry between adjacent lung. CONCLUSION: Bioelectrical impedance tomography can help in weaning from mechanical ventilation, as in the case presented here. Pendelluft was defined as a limitation during the weaning tests.