Electrical Impedance Tomography in Guiding Early and Precise Rehabilitation of Patients with Difficult Ventilator Weaning

Two sessions of CPT (morning and afternoon, 20 minutes each) were conducted. The CPT session consisted of modified postural drainage, assisted cough technique , positive expiratory pressure and chest percussion, vibration. The appointed therapist performed pulmonary auscultation and thoracic palpation to assess the status of pulmonary ventilation and secretion retention, and whether the patient's cough ability can complete effective airway clearance. Individualized program was formed according to the assessment, internal guidelines, the patient's tolerance, education level, and patient's preference prior to the randomization. All CPT sessions were performed by the same physiotherapist to avoid potential bias.

EIT-guided modified postural drainage combined with vibrations and chest percussion: tidal variation images in EIT reveals heterogeneously ventilated regions. Physiotherapist identified such regions at the bedside and instructed the patient to take the appropriate drainage position, so that the poorly ventilated regions became gravity non-dependent regions. Subsequently, the physiotherapist put her hands on the poorly ventilated area with a vibratory force. A compressive pressure was produced by the therapist's arms.