Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging technique that provides continuous, real-time monitoring of regional lung ventilation at the bedside. The technique uses a 16- electrode belt that is placed around the patient´s chest sending multiple low-level alternating currents into the chest and measuring resulting voltage differences. In anesthesiology and intensive care medicine, EIT has emerged as a valuable tool to guide individualized patient management, particularly in mechanically ventilated patients. By visualizing dynamic changes in lung aeration and regional compliance, EIT enables optimization of ventilator settings, titration of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and detection of ventilation inhomogeneities such as overdistension or atelectasis. Beyond ventilation monitoring, recent advances potentially further allow assessment of pleural effusions. Its portability and absence of ionizing radiation make EIT suitable for repeated or continuous use in critically ill patients, where traditional imaging modalities may be impractical. While challenges remain in terms of standardization, interpretation, and integration into routine practice, EIT represents a promising adjunct in perioperative and intensive care monitoring, with potential to improve outcomes through personalized respiratory management.