[BostonCard]

There is a theoretical reason that prone positioning might work, based on a phenomenon called ventilation/perfusion (VQ) mismatch.  Basically, the normal lung is very good at matching blood flow (perfusion) to areas of the lung that are getting oxygen (ventilation), but a diseased lung often has trouble.  The result is that sometimes blood flows to areas where no air is getting to due to damage to the lung (from a pneumonia or ARDS).  This is especially true in the dependent (towards the back, when you are lying on your back) portions of the lung, where gravity enhances blood flow.  If you start with bad VQ mismatch, you may be able to improve the VQ matching by turning around and lying prone so that gravity now enhances blood flow to the anterior (front) of the lungs where ventilation may be better.

BC

[BostonCard]

There is a theoretical reason that prone positioning might work, based on a phenomenon called ventilation/perfusion (VQ) mismatch.  Basically, the normal lung is very good at matching blood flow (perfusion) to areas of the lung that are getting oxygen (ventilation), but a diseased lung often has trouble.  The result is that sometimes blood flows to areas where no air is getting to due to damage to the lung (from a pneumonia or ARDS).  This is especially true in the dependent (towards the back, when you are lying on your back) portions of the lung, where gravity enhances blood flow.  If you start with bad VQ mismatch, you may be able to improve the VQ matching by turning around and lying prone so that gravity now enhances blood flow to the anterior (front) of the lungs where ventilation may be better.

BC