First real-time imaging of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction by electrical impedance tomography.

Background: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with one-way endobronchial valves (EBV) has better outcomes when the target lobe has poor collateral ventilation, resulting in complete lobe atelectasis. High-inspired oxygen fraction (FO) promotes atelectasis through faster gas absorption after airway occlusion, but its application during BLVR with EBV has been poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the real-time effects of FO on regional lung volumes and regional ventilation/perfusion by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) during BLVR with EBV.