The focal index: a quantitative approach to morphological sub-phenotyping of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterised by significant morphological heterogeneity. Morphological sub-phenotyping can potentially be used to personalise mechanical ventilation. Current methods to classify lung injury as focal or diffuse rely on subjective image interpretation, which risks misclassification and suboptimal treatment. This study aimed to investigate the morphological appearance features of lung injury objectively. The focal index, an objective quantitative tool, was introduced to assess focality in lung injury.

Methods

In this single-centre retrospective study, we included lung computed tomography (CT) scans from COVID-19 ARDS patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, classified as diffuse lung injury. CT data were analysed to

SUBMITTER: Bjarnadottir KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12334779 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature