Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of setting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) technology on pulmonary function and pulmonary complications in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods Eighty-four patients with ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation admitted to our hospital from August 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects and were divided into a study group (42 patients) and a control group (42 patients) using the random number table method. The control group used the traditional PEEP-setting method, and the study group used the EIT technology-based PEEP-setting method. The haemodynamic indexes [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) ], respiratory mechanics indexes [static lung compliance (Cst), dynamic compliance (Cdyn) ], and blood gas analysis indexes [oxygenation index (OI), arterial blood pH] of the two groups of patients after optimal PEEP ventilation at 0 h (T0), 12 h (T1), 24 h (T2), and 48 h (T3) were compared. Changes in pulmonary complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and patients' 6-month survival rate were compared between the two groups.Results Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences in MAP and HR between the two groups at different time points (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were found between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in Cst and Cdyn levels between and within the two groups at different time points (P < 0.05), and the trends of change were also significantly different (P < 0.05). Significant differences in OI levels were observed between and within the two groups at different time points (P < 0.05), with a significant difference in the trend of change (P < 0.05). No significant differences in arterial blood pH were found between or within the groups at different time points (P > 0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The duration of mechanical ventilation in the study group was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion Setting PEEP based on EIT technology can significantly improve the lung function of ARDS patients, reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation, and is recommended for clinical promotion and application.