Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often require arteriovenous grafts (AVG) for hemodialysis. AVG thrombosis is a common complication, usually managed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to restore blood flow. PTA achieves patency by balloon-mediated compression and fragmentation of thrombus. Small thrombus fragments may enter the venous circulation and cause transient pulmonary microembolism, leading to ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch. This study uses electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to noninvasively monitor short-term changes in regional ventilation and perfusion during and after PTA, exploring the immediate pulmonary physiological consequences of thrombus fragmentation and revascularization in dialysis patients.
Age ≥ 18 years.
Diagnosis of end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis.
Documented AVG thrombosis requiring PTA.
Able to cooperate and tolerate EIT monitoring.
Severe respiratory failure incompatible with supine position.
Thoracic skin condition or deformity preventing EIT electrode placement.
Acute pulmonary embolism or acute pulmonary edema before procedure.
NYHA Class IV heart failure or hemodynamic instability.