Awake Proning or Trapping.

To the Editor:

The article by Raoof et al published in CHEST (November 2020) is well written and informative; however, it may mislead when it comes to proning awake patients with COVID-19 while using noninvasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen. A recent study by Ferrando et al raises concern. In this multicenter, prospective randomized observational trial, the use of awake proning as an adjunctive therapy did not reduce the risk of intubation. Proned patients showed a trend for delay in intubation compared with high-flow nasal oxygen alone; although mortality rates were not affected in this trial, delayed intubation has been shown to increase mortality rates in other trials. Although recognizing that proning improves oxygenation, one must also consider that this intervention potentially may result in delay of needed intubation.

Late intubation in ARDS has been shown to increase mortality rates compared with earlier intubation, despite patients who receive early intubation being much sicker. Data from the LUNG SAFE trial demonstrated use of noninvasive ventilation in patients with ARDS is associated with increased ICU mortality rates. After adjustment for comorbidities, patients in that trial who were treated with noninvasive ventilation had a 30% increased risk of dying in the ICU, compared with those who were treated with invasive ventilation. Data from that trial demonstrated that patients who were treated with noninvasive ventilation had higher respiratory rates and tidal volumes compared with those that were intubated.

Increased respiratory rate has been found to be a predictor of need for intubation in patients treated with supplemental oxygen, as has been increased tidal volumes in patients treated with noninvasive ventilation. Self-proning patients being treated with noninvasive ventilation or high-flow thus can improve oxygenation, giving a false sense of security resulting in delay of intubation and potentially increased mortality rate. , We should use great caution at this point with self-proning and perhaps limit this intervention to patients who wish not to be intubated until further evidence surfaces.