💬In plain words
What the trial is, and whether it could suit you
What is this study about? This research aims to test a new ultrasound technology called "speckle tracking" to measure how much the lining of your lungs (pleura) stretches during breathing, especially if you're on a breathing machine (ventilator). Doctors want to see if this technology can help them adjust ventilator settings more safely, reducing the risk of lung damage.
Why is this important? Lung protection: Patients on ventilators, especially those with severe lung problems (like ARDS or pneumonia), need careful settings. Too much pressure from the ventilator can harm the lungs.
Better monitoring: Current tools can't easily measure lung stretching at the bedside. This ultrasound method might offer a simple, painless way to check lung health in real time.
Who can join? Included: Adults (18+ years) in the ICU with serious illness (assessed by a standard score called APACHE II \>8), w
Sign in to get the eligibility rules as simple questions to take to your doctor.
📋 Eligibility rules (as published)
Phase 1: Feasibility Assessment in Non-Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU with an APACHE II score \>8.
* Non-mechanically ventilated patients (either spontaneously breathing or receiving only non-invasive oxygen therapy).
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of thoracic surgery or trauma.
* Presence of pneumothorax or chest trauma (e.g., rib fractures, flail chest).
* Pregnancy or age \<18 years.
* Refusal to participate by the patient or legal representative.
* Poor ultrasound image quality (e.g., unclear pleural visualization).
Phase 2: Feasibility Assessment in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU with an APACHE II score \>8.
* Receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for \>24 hours.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of thoracic surgery or trauma.
* Presence of pneumothorax or chest trauma (e.g., rib fractures, flail chest).
* Pregnancy or age \<18 years.
* Requirement for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
* Poor ultrasound image quality (e.g., pleural motion obscured by pleural effusion).
Phase 3: Correlation Analysis of Strain and Driving Pressure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU with an APACHE II score \>8.
* Receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for \>24 hours.
* Tolerance to stepwise driving pressure adjustments (10, 15, and 20 cmH₂O, maintained for 10 minutes each).
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of thoracic surgery or trauma.
* Presence of pneumothorax, chest trauma (e.g., rib fractures, flail chest), or significant patient-ventilator asynchrony.
* Pregnancy or age \<18 years.
* Requirement for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
* Hemodynamic instability (mean arterial pressure \[MAP\] \<65 mmHg or requiring high-dose vasopressors).
* Severe hypoxemia (PaO₂/FiO₂ \<100 mmHg), precluding safe adjustment of driving pressure.
* Poor ultrasound image quality (e.g., loss of pleural strain signal).
The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College)
Wuhu, China
🤝 Taking part is your choice, and you can leave at any time. Only the trial team can confirm you are eligible — always decide together with your own doctor.