Beneficial effect of awake prone position in hypoxaemic patients with COVID-19: case reports and literature review

Intern Med J. 2020 Aug;50(8):997-1000. doi: 10.1111/imj.14926. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Abstract

We hereby present two case reports of moderate coronavirus disease patients, suffering from profound hypoxaemia, further deteriorating later on. A schedule pre-planned awake prone position manoeuvres were executed during their hospital stay. Following this, the patients' saturation improved, later to be weaned from oxygen support. Paucity of evidence and data regarding this topic led us to review the concept of awake prone position.

Keywords: awake; coronavirus; hypoxaemia respiratory failure; pandemic; prone position.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Patient Positioning
  • Prone Position*
  • Wakefulness*