Prone Positioning and Inhaled Nitric Oxide: Synergistic Therapies for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUNDInhaled nitric oxide (INO) and prone positioning have both been advocated as methods to improve oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was designed to evaluate the relative contributions of INO and prone positioning alone and in combination on gas exchange in trauma patients with ARDS. METHODSSixteen patients meeting the consensus definition of ARDS were studied. Patients received mechanical ventilation in the supine position, mechanical ventilation plus INO at 1 part per million in the supine position, mechanical ventilation in the PP, and mechanical ventilation in the prone positioning plus INO at 1 part per million. A stabilization period of 1 hour was allowed at each condition. After stabilization, hemodynamic and gas exchange variables were measured. RESULTSINO and prone positioning both increased Pao2/Fio2 compared with ventilation in the supine position. Pao2/Fio2 increased by 14% during use of INO, and 10 of 16 patients (62%) responded to INO in the supine position. Pao2/Fio2 increased by 33%, and 14 of 16 patients (87.5%) responded to the prone position. The combination of INO and prone positioning resulted in an improvement in Pao2/Fio2 in 15 of 16 patients (94%), with a mean increase in Pao2/Fio2 of 59%. Pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced during use of INO, with a greater reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance seen with INO plus prone positioning (175 ± 36 dynes·s/cm vs. 134 ± 28 dynes·s/cm) compared with INO in the supine position (164 ± 48 dynes·s/cm vs. 138 ± 44 dynes·s/cm). There were no significant hemodynamic effects of INO or prone positioning and no complications were seen during this relative short duration of study. CONCLUSIONSINO and prone positioning can contribute to improved oxygenation in patients with ARDS. The two therapies in combination are synergistic and may be important adjuncts to mechanical ventilation in the ARDS patient with refractory hypoxemia.