Background
The novel coronavirus has been recently spreading throughout the world, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) that necessitates mechanical ventilation. Prone position ventilation is an established method to improve oxygenation in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Methods
A total of 52 patients were divided into two groups. proning cycles that lasted for 16 h every 24 h, ): prolonged proning cycles that lasted for continuous 24 h followed by 6 h supine position. Both groups received lung-protective ventilation, arterial blood gases were sampled, static lung compliance was measured before proning and one hour after return to supine position. After three successive cycles, the mean value was measured and recorded.
Results
We found that extending the duration of prone position (PP) sessions from 16 h to 24 h was associated with a significant improvement in PaO/FiO, significant elevation in static lung compliance and non-significant changes in the rate of extubation. 24 h PP was proven to be safe, with no significant elevation in the rate of complications, and nearly the same impact on survival and length of hospital stay.
Conclusion
Extending PP ventilation to 24 h for COVID-19 ARDS patients is safe and effective.