In a retrospective analysis of consecutive intubated subjects with moderate or severe ARDS, related or not to COVID-19, spontaneous breathing during prone positioning (PP) was well tolerated and achieved significant improvement in arterial oxygenation.

We conducted a retrospective analysis in a single 22-bed mixed ICU. The subjects included in the analysis were ≥ 18 y old, met the Berlin definition for moderate or severe ARDS (whether related COVID-19 or not), and underwent PP during invasive ventilation.

39 subjects were included in the analysis: 20 subjects had ARDS related to COVID-19, while 19 had ARDS related to other etiologies.

A total of 113 PP episodes were analyzed: 84 during PSV and 29 during volume control continuous mandatory ventilation.

PP during PSV was well tolerated and was effective in improving arterial oxygenation.

No significant difference between continuous mandatory ventilation and PSV was noted regarding arterial oxygenation during PP.

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