Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical entity that acutely affects the lung parenchyma, and is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage and increased pulmonary vascular permeability. Currently, computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for classifying and prognosticating ARDS. However, performing this examination in critically ill patients is complex, due to the need to transfer these patients to the CT room. Fortunately, new technologies have been developed that allow the monitoring of patients at the bedside. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a monitoring tool that allows one to evaluate at the bedside the distribution of pulmonary ventilation continuously, in real time, and which has proven to be useful in optimizing mechanical ventilation parameters in critically ill patients. Lung electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a promising clinical tool for continuous and real-time monitoring of pulmonary ventilation that can be especially useful in severe mechanically ventilated patients such as those with ARDS. EIT can help to optimize mechanical ventilation settings, detect complications such as derecruitment and pneumothorax, and provide estimates of perfusion distribution. More clinical validation studies are awaited to explore the full potential of the technology.

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