title: The effects of prone position ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. A systematic review and metaanalysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prone position ventilation has been shown to improve oxygenation and ventilatory mechanics in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. We evaluated whether prone ventilation reduces the risk of mortality in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome versus supine ventilation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials comparing patients in supine versus prone position was performed. A search was conducted of the Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases. Mortality, hospital length of stay, days of mechanical ventilation and adverse effects were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven randomized controlled trials (2,119 patients) were included in the analysis. The prone position showed a nonsignificant tendency to reduce mortality (OR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.54 to 1.06; P=.11, I(2) 63%). When stratified by subgroups, a significant decrease was seen in the risk of mortality in patients ventilated with low tidal volume (OR: 0.58; 95%CI: 0.38 to 0.87; P=.009, I(2) 33%), prolonged pronation (OR: 0.6; 95%CI: 0.43 to 0.83; p=.002, I(2) 27%), start within the first 48hours of disease evolution (OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.35 to 0.68; P=.0001, I(2) 0%) and severe hypoxemia (OR: 0.51: 95%CI: 0.36 to 1.25; P=.0001, I(2) 0%). Adverse effects associated with pronation were the development of pressure ulcers and endotracheal tube obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prone position ventilation is a safe strategy and reduces mortality in patients with severely impaired oxygenation. It should be started early, for prolonged periods, and should be associated to a protective ventilation strategy.
authors.affiliation: Medicina Crítica y Cuidado Intensivo, Universidad del Rosario, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá-Hospital Universitario, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. Electronic address: javiandrem@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mora-Arteaga
authors.affiliation: Medicina Crítica y Cuidado Intensivo, Clínica Nueva-Hospital de Suba, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Bernal-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Medicina Crítica y Cuidado Intensivo, Clínica Nueva-Hospital Universitario la Samaritana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D016684:Prone Position; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D055397:Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Meta-analysis; Metanálisis; Posición prona; Prone position; Respiratory distress syndrome, adult; Síndrome de dificultad respiratoria del adulto