Prone position in covid-19: Can we tackle rising dead space?

Little is known about the impact of proning on oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency on patients with severe Covid-19. In this retrospective observational study we calculated Pa/FiO2 ratio (P/F) as a marker of oxygenation and dead space fraction (Vd/Vt) to assess ventilation. 12 patients who were proned twice or more were included. There was a significant improvement in P/F ratio when prone (110.18 ± 28.11) compared to supine (88.95 ± 19.34) (p < 0.01). There was no improvement in Vd/Vt on proning (p > 0.05). Vd/Vt as a function of time displayed a positive linear correlation in those who did not survive (n = 9) (Rs = 0.48, p < 0.01) but no observed correlation in those who survived (n = 3) (Rs = 0.002, p = 0.97). Our findings indicate that prone position in patients with Covid-19 has little effect on dead space fraction but does improve oxygenation. Rise in dead space with time appears to be a prognostic factor for death in patients with severe Covid- 19. © The Intensive Care Society 2020.