Comparison of Prone and Supine Status on Oxygenation of Patients with COVID-19 with Acute Hypoxemia Treated Using Reservoir Mask; a Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: In early December of 2019, the first coronary pneumonia cases were identified, an emerging disease which is associated with higher mortality and morbidity and a higher proportion of deaths in population. Objectives: A significant number of patients progress towards acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, if we can control pulmonary involvement in the initial stages and before reaching severe degrees of ARDS, we will have given a great assistance to patients. Patients and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 30 SARS-CoV-2 patients with acute respiratory hypoxia. The study population was randomly divided into two equal parts including group P (prone) and group S (supine). Patients in the prone group were placed in the prone position, six hours per day for three days, while received oxygen therapy by reserve bag and another group received oxygen therapy in the supine position by using reserve bag. Finally, the data were analyzed using statistical software. Results: In total, both groups showed significant results during three days of hospitalization, however, the considered variables of relative arterial oxygen pressure and PA/FiO2 during three days of the hospitalization in the prone group were significantly higher than the supine group (P=0.022 and P=0.012). Other variables did not show any statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Relative arterial oxygen pressure and PA/FiO2 in the prone group were significantly higher than the supine group. This finding shows the importance of prone status in the process of oxygenation and recovery of patients. Trial Registration: The trial was registered by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier: IRCT20151020024625N12; https://www.irct.ir/trial/55690/view, Ethical code# IR.SEMUMS.REC. 1399.201).