Early pronation in patients with respiratory distress due to COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: In the course of COVID-19, the management of patients with respiratory failure has been a challenge worldwide, due to the large number of patients affected by the aggressiveness of the virus, the use of human resources and the availability of equipment.

Objective: To show the usefulness of early pronation for improving oxygenation and prevent, in many cases, endotracheal intubation in patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

Methods: An analytical, observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out with patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Cuban Hospital in Qatar, belonging to the Hamad Medical Corporation, in the period from March to May 2021. Variables focused on demonstrating the ventilatory response were used. The Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS), version 21.0, was used, according to percentage and chi-square, as well as Student's t-test for deductive statistical analysis of related samples.

Results: The predominant age group was 3-50 years, in patients with two or more comorbidities. Oxygenation with high-flow nasal cannula and combined with non-invasive ventilation were the most widely used. Most of the variables in the related samples test were highly significant.

Conclusions: Early pronation, as an adjunct to intensive management of patients with respiratory failure caused by COVID-19, provides better recovery for patients and an indisputable improvement of ventilation and oxygenation parameters.