Prone Position in Patients on High-flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy for COVID-19 (HIGH-PRONE-COVID-19)

Evaluation of Prone Position in Conscious Patients on Nasal High-flow Oxygen Therapy for COVID-19 Disease Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) induces high mortality, particularly in the context of COVID-19 disease. Preliminary data from patients with ARDS related to COVID-19 disease appear to show significant effectiveness of prone positioning in intubated patients in terms of oxygenation as well as nasal high flow therapy before intubation. It should be noted that in Jiangsu province, secondarily affected, nasal high flow combined with the prone position was successfully integrated into care protocols. The investigators hypothesize that the combined application of nasal high flow and prone positioning can significantly improve the outcome of patients suffering from COVID-19 pneumonia by reducing the need for tracheal intubation and associated therapeutics such as sedation and paralysis, resulting in both individual and collective benefits in terms of use of scarce critical care resources. Investigators hypothesize that the combined application of nasal high-flow and prone positioning can significantly improve the outcome of patients suffering from COVID-19 pneumonia by reducing the need for intubation and associated therapeutics such as sedation and paralysis, resulting in both individual and collective benefits in terms of use of scarce critical care resources.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) induces high mortality, particularly in the context of COVID-19 disease. In patients with ARDS who are mechanically ventilated invasively through a tracheal tube and with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio (arterial oxygen partial pressure to inspired oxygen fraction ratio) of less than 150 mmHg, prone positioning significantly reduced mortality. Furthermore, nasal high flow, a non-invasive respiratory support and oxygenation technique, reduced the need for tracheal intubation and reduced mortality among the most severe patients (PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than 200 mmHg) suffering from acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Prone positioning of ARDS patients treated with nasal high-flow was evaluated in 20 patients with predominantly viral pneumonia. The prone positioning was found to be feasible and associated with an increased PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Preliminary data from patients with ARDS related to COVID-19 disease appear to show a significant effect of prone positioning in intubated patients in terms of oxygenation improvement as well as nasal high-high flow appears effective in non-intubated patients. For instance, nearly half intensive care unit patients described in the princeps cohort in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, had received nasal high-flow. It should be noted that in Jiangsu province, secondarily affected, nasal high-flow combined with prone positioning was successfully integrated into care protocols. Investigators hypothesize that the combined application of nasal high-flow and prone positioning can significantly improve the outcome of patients suffering from COVID-19 pneumonia by reducing the need for intubation and associated therapeutics such as sedation and paralysis, resulting in both individual and collective benefits in terms of use of scarce critical care resources.

According to the tolerance, the objective is to spend as much time as possible, up to 16 hours and beyond in prone position every 24 hours. At least two sessions of at least 30 minutes each must be performed daily.

Therapeutic failure is defined by death or intubation or use of non-invasive ventilation at two pressure levels.

Therapeutic failure is defined by death or intubation or use of non-invasive ventilation at two pressure levels.

Evolution of oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 ratio or SpO2/FiO2 surrogate) over the 14 days following randomization

ROX index is the ratio of pulse oximetry (SpO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) to respiratory rate.

Invasive devices include : central and peripheric vascular catheters, tracheal tube, urinary catheter, chest tubes.

Days of nasal High-Flow therapy use in the general population, in non-intubated patients and in intubated patients

Inclusion Criteria: Adult patient with COVID-19 pneumonia according to the diagnostic criteria in effect at the time of inclusion or very highly suspected. Patient treated with nasal high-flow Mild, moderate or severe ARDS: bilateral radiological opacities not fully explained by effusions, atelectasis or nodules; acute hypoxemia with worsening within the previous 7 days, not fully explained by left ventricular failure; PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 mmHg (or equivalent SpO2/FiO2). Covered by or having the rights to French social security Informed Consent Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or breastfeeding woman Indication for immediate tracheal intubation Progressive significant acute circulatory insufficiency Impaired alertness, confusion, restlessness Body mass index > 40 kg/m2 Thoracic trauma or other contraindication to prone position Pneumothorax with single anterior thoracic drain and persistent bubbling Vulnerable person: safeguard of justice, guardianship or authorship known at inclusion

Individual participant data after de-identification can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author.

Ehrmann S, Li J, Ibarra-Estrada M, Perez Y, Pavlov I, McNicholas B, Roca O, Mirza S, Vines D, Garcia-Salcido R, Aguirre-Avalos G, Trump MW, Nay MA, Dellamonica J, Nseir S, Mogri I, Cosgrave D, Jayaraman D, Masclans JR, Laffey JG, Tavernier E; Awake Prone Positioning Meta-Trial Group. Awake prone positioning for COVID-19 acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: a randomised, controlled, multinational, open-label meta-trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2021 Dec;9(12):1387-1395. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00356-8. Epub 2021 Aug 20.

Tavernier E, McNicholas B, Pavlov I, Roca O, Perez Y, Laffey J, Mirza S, Cosgrave D, Vines D, Frat JP, Ehrmann S, Li J. Awake prone positioning of hypoxaemic patients with COVID-19: protocol for a randomised controlled open-label superiority meta-trial. BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 11;10(11):e041520. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041520.