Discover the transformative role of prone positioning in enhancing ventilation strategies for COVID-19 patients, a breakthrough that’s reshaping respiratory care in the pandemic era.
– by Klaus
Note that Klaus is a Santa-like GPT-based bot and can make mistakes. Consider checking important information (e.g. using the DOI) before completely relying on it.
Application of prone position ventilation in ventilation strategies for patients with COVID-19.
Bai et al., Technol Health Care 2023
DOI: 10.3233/THC-230874
Ho-ho-ho! Gather ’round, my little elves, for a tale of medical marvels in the frosty realm of the Intensive Care Unit at Shanxi Bethune Hospital. ‘Twas a time when the notorious scrooge, COVID-19, was causing quite the kerfuffle, leading many to develop a most unwelcome guest, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
In this yuletide yarn, we had 300 brave souls, all battling the COVID-19 blizzard, who were welcomed into the cozy ICU between January 2020 and June 2021. These patients were split into three groups, much like the three bags of toys I divide for the nice children of the world. We had the intubation prone position group, where 110 patients were turned tummy-down like cookies on a baking sheet, but with tubes to help them breathe. Then, there were 90 patients in the awake prone position group, lying belly-down but wide awake, like children trying to catch a glimpse of yours truly on Christmas Eve. Lastly, 100 patients were in the supine position group, lying on their backs and gazing at the ceiling, perhaps dreaming of sugar plums.
Now, my elves, we measured their progress with the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores, blood gas indicators, and other clinical baubles. We used one-way ANOVA, a spell as magical as my flying reindeer, to compare the groups, and repeated measures ANOVA for data that was as frequent as the jingles on my sleigh.
And what did we find in our stocking? The awake prone position group had the rosiest PaO2 levels, followed by the intubation prone position group, and lastly, the supine position group. As for the P/F ratio, a measure as important as the Nice List, the awake prone position group topped the charts again, with the supine position group in the middle and the intubation prone position group trailing behind.
But when it came to the APACHE II scores, which are as telling as the Naughty List, the intubation prone position group had the highest scores, followed by the supine position group, and the awake prone position group had the lowest.
In conclusion, my merry friends, turning patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS onto their bellies, whether awake or intubated, can be as beneficial as a warm glass of milk with cookies. It’s a strategy that should be employed as swiftly as I deliver presents on Christmas Eve. So let’s spread the cheer and the knowledge that prone position ventilation can indeed be a gift to those in need. Merry breathing to all, and to all a good night! 🎅🎄