Effects of prone and lateral positioning alternate in high-flow nasal cannula patients with severe COVID-19

Excerpt

To date, the COVID-19 pandemic remains widespread globally, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems around the world. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) improves oxygenation and reduces the need for endotracheal intubation in comparison with standard oxygen therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 [1]. During HFNC treatment, the prone position is associated with a significant benefit on oxygenation, but the low compliance of awake patients limits the clinical application of the prone position [2]. The lateral position may also be associated with beneficial effects of gas exchange, especially in unilateral lesions [3]. Although there are studies evaluating the efficacy of both prone and lateral positioning [4, 5], comparative studies on the efficacy of prone and lateral positions in HFNC patients with severe COVID-19 are rarely reported. …