Prone positioning to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory symptoms in awake, spontaneously breathing non-intubated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports Vol. 30; p. 101096
• Main Authors: Sztajnbok, Jaques, Maselli-Schoueri, Jean Henri, Cunha de Resende Brasil, Lucas Mendes, Farias de Sousa, Lucilene, Cordeiro, Camila Muniz, Sansão Borges, Luciana Marques, Malaque, Ceila Maria Sant' Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Case Report; Coronavirus; COVID-19; Noninvasive ventilation; Prone positioning; Pulmonary ventilation; Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19; Prone positioning; Noninvasive ventilation; Coronavirus; Pulmonary ventilation
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101096

Emergency departments are facing an unprecedented challenge in dealing with patients who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The massive number of cases evolving to respiratory failure are leading to a rapid depletion of medical resources such as respiratory support equipment, which is more critical in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, any therapeutic and oxygenation support strategy that conserves medical resources should be welcomed. Prone positioning is a well-known ventilatory support strategy to improve oxygenation levels. Self-proning can be used in the management of selected patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we describe our experience with two COVID-19-positive patients who were admitted with respiratory failure. The patients were successfully managed with self-proning and noninvasive oxygenation without the need for intubation.