[Use of a portable CT scanner for monitoring ventilated patients in an intensive care unit].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of postoperative pulmonary atelectasis using a portable computed tomography (CT) unit.


METHODS
5 spiral CT-examinations in low-dose technique were performed on each of 10 patients with partial pulmonary atelectasis after coronary bypass surgery. The patients were artificially ventilated using different levels (0 to +15 cm H2O) of positive end-exspiratory pressure (PEEP). The changes in atelectatic volumes were determined for each side.


RESULTS
In 6 patients the primary volume of atelectasis was larger on the left side than on the right. Atelectatic volumes decreased with increasing PEEP. Re-expansion of atelectases was significantly (p < 0.01) better with a PEEP of +15 cm H2O.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography allows visualisation of postoperative atelectasis reliably, even in the low-dose technique. Concordantly, additional therapeutically relevant side findings can be detected compared to conventional chest X-ray. Risky patient transport becomes unnecessary.
Laux
A
A
Institut für Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Standort Mitte, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.
Rogalla
P
P
Kern
H
H
Hamm
B
B
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*
Einsatz eines mobilen CT-Gerätes bei der Uberwachung beatmungspflichtiger Patienten auf der Intensivstation.