Thoracic electrical impedance tomography for assessing progression of pulmonary dysfunction in ALS.

: We compared thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with slow vital capacity (SVC) to determine if EIT could monitor pulmonary function in ALS patients longitudinally. : Of 32 ALS patients and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) initially enrolled in the Pulmonary Function via Impedance Tomography (PuFIT) study, 22 ALS and 20 HCs returned for a follow-up visit ∼3.9 months later.

Assessing pulmonary function in ALS using electrical impedance tomography.

Objective: We sought to determine whether thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) could characterize pulmonary function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, including those with facial weakness. Thoracic EIT is a noninvasive, technology in which a multi-electrode belt is placed across the chest, producing real-time impedance imaging of the chest during breathing.

Methods: We enrolled 32 ALS patients and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) without underlying lung disease.