A Clinical Study On Mechanical Ventilation In Prone Position In Patients With ALI Induced By Trauma

Objective: To explore the efficacy of mechanical ventilation in proneposition on patients with ALI/ARDS. Methods: From July 1998 to May 2000, 28cases with ALI/ARDS induced by trauma were admitted to our EICU. Patients wereventilated in prone position under enough sedation and muscle-relaxation. In thetime of supine position (SP), prone position (PP) 1h, PP 2h, SP 1h,SP 2h, index ofhaemodymics, respiratory mechanics and arterial blood gas were recordedrespectively. Results: When patients were turned to prone position, the oxygenationwas improved markedly (PaO2/FiO2 from 205.3±57.4 to 257.0±28.7, 273.3 ±31.8, p<0.05) and persisted in supine position (PaO2/FiO2 242.1±60.5, p<0.05).There were no changes of BP, HR, Paw,R, C, PaCO2 and so on. Conclusions:Oxygenation was to be improved when patients with ARDS were ventilated in proneposition, with little influence on haemodymics and respiratory mechanics.Ventilation in prone position can be adopted in patients with ALI/ARDS.