[The effect of intermittent prone position on pulmonary gas exchange in acute lung failure]

In a clinical trial, the influence of repeated intermittent prone position on pulmonary gas exchange was investigated in 6 patients with severe ARDS. Despite various intra- and interindividual differences, oxygenation index (calculated by the paO2:FiO2 ratio) was improved significantly by change from supine to prone position in the first two days of treatment, whereas paCO2 remained unchanged. Later on, a significant improvement of oxygenation could not be verified. In patients with proven or presumed densities of dorsal lung regions, body position changes from supine to prone position in the early phase of treatment may improve arterial oxygenation and may be regarded as a therapeutic principle in conventional ARDS treatment.