Effects of the Prone Position on Arterial Blood Gas Analysis and Respiratory Parameters of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients:An Observational Retrospective Study

Objective:To investigate the effect of the first prone position on arterial blood gas analysis and respiratory parameters of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients with and without COVID. Methods:This study was conducted retrospectively with 22 COVID-ARDS and 22 non-COVID ARDS patients,who were placed in a prone position for at least 16 hours on the first day at the intensive care unit admission,and arterial blood gas analysis was taken in the pre-prone,prone and post-prone periods.Results:PaO2 were significantly increased in the pre-prone vs.prone comparison in both groups,but the increase in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was not significant.In comparing the pre-prone vs.post-prone PaO2/FiO2 ratios,there was a significant difference only in the non-COVID ARDS group.Conclusions:The improved oxygenation provided by prone positioning is more permanent with the"post-prone effect"in non-COVID ARDS patients.This can be attributed to the differences in the pathogenesis of the two ARDS types.