The prone position eliminates compression of the lungs by the heart

The prone position improves gas exchange in many patients with ARDS. Animal studies have indicated that turning prone restores ventilation to dorsal lung regions without markedly compromising ventral regions. To investigate a potential mechanism by which this might occur, the relative volume of lung...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2000-05, Vol.161 (5), p.1660-1665
Main Authors: Albert, R K, Hubmayr, R D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Female
Heart - diagnostic imaging
Heart - physiology
Humans
Lung - diagnostic imaging
Lung - physiology
Male
Middle Aged
Pressure
Prone Position
Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - physiopathology
Respiratory Mechanics
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:The prone position improves gas exchange in many patients with ARDS. Animal studies have indicated that turning prone restores ventilation to dorsal lung regions without markedly compromising ventral regions. To investigate a potential mechanism by which this might occur, the relative volume of lung located directly under the heart was measured in the supine and prone positions in seven patients. Four axial tomographic sections between the carina and the diaphragm were analyzed (Sections 1 through 4). When supine, the percent of the total lung volume located under the heart increased from 7 +/- 4% to 42 +/- 8%, and from 11 +/- 4% to 16 +/- 4% in Sections 1 through 4, in the left and right lungs, respectively. When prone, the percent of left and right lung volume located under the heart was
ISSN:1073-449X
1535-4970
DOI:10.1164/ajrccm.161.5.9901037