Use of a portable CT unit for monitoring ventilator-dependent patients

Purpose: Evaluation of postoperative pulmonary atelectasis using a portable computed tomography (CT) unit. Material and Methods: 5 spiral CT-examinati ons in low-dose technique were performed on each of 10 patients with partia l pulmonary atelectasis after coronary bypass surgery. The patients were ar tificially ventilated using different levels (0 to +15cm H2O) of positive e nd-exspiratory pressure (PEEP). The changes in atelectatic volumes were det ermined for each side. Results: In 6 patients the primary volume of atelect asis was larger on the left side than on the right. Atelectatic volumes dec reased with increasing PEEP. Re-expansion of atelectases was significantly (p < 0.01) better with a PEEP of + 15 cm H2O. Conclusion: Computed tomograp hy 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 Xray. Risky patient transport becomes unneccessary.