Can a simple electrical scan spot dangerous lung clots without radiation?
NCT ID NCT07724197
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 05, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study is testing whether a noninvasive imaging technique called pulsatile electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can accurately diagnose acute pulmonary embolism — a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs. Researchers will compare EIT readings with standard CT scans in 275 adults to see if EIT can identify clots, assess their severity, and track changes over time. If successful, EIT could provide a safe, bedside alternative to radiation-based imaging.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- pulsatile electrical impedance tomography (EIT) — a noninvasive, radiation-free imaging technique that measures how electrical currents move through the lungs to detect blood flow problems
- What this could lead to
- If EIT proves accurate, it could offer a quick, bedside, radiation-free way to diagnose pulmonary embolism, replacing or reducing the need for CT scans.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early diagnostic study, not a treatment trial. EIT may not be sensitive or specific enough to replace standard CT angiography, and results may vary across different patient groups.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 275 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population includes adults with acute pulmonary embolism and control participants from the retrospective and prospective phases. Retrospective participants include patients with CTPA-confirmed acute pulmonary embolism and healthy controls with available EIT and clinical data. Prospective participants include patients newly diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism and patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism in whom pulmonary embolism is not confirmed by CTPA or CTPA plus CTV. All prospective participants will provide written informed consent.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. For retrospective PE cases: patients with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography, with completed pulsatile electrical impedance tomography examination, adequate image data, and available clinical information. For retrospective healthy controls: adults without evidence of lower-extremity venous thrombosis, with normal D-dimer levels, simplified Wells score ≤1, and no pulmonary embolism-related symptoms or history. For prospective PE patients: patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary embolism by CT pulmonary angiography or CT pulmonary angiography plus CT venography, with body mass index less than 50 kg/m², who voluntarily participate and provide written informed consent. For prospective non-PE controls: patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism who undergo CT pulmonary angiography or CT pulmonary angiography plus CT venography, but in whom pulmonary embolism is not confirmed, who voluntarily participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous diagnosis of chronic pulmonary embolism or idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or other severe cardiopulmonary diseases that may interfere with study assessment. Pregnancy or lactation. Thoracic deformity. Contraindications to EIT examination, including automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, chest wounds limiting electrode belt placement, implanted pumps, or other conditions unsuitable for EIT electrode belt placement. Participation in another clinical trial during the same period, for prospective participants. Unstable vital signs requiring emergency rescue, leaving no time to complete EIT examination, for prospective participants. Any other condition considered unsuitable for participation by the investigators.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
4 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBeijing, Beijing Municipality, 102218, China
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Chenzhou First People's Hospital
RECRUITINGChenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
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Loudi Central Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLoudi, Hunan, 417000, China
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Peking Union Medical College Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBeijing, Beijing Municipality, 100730, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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