Impact of lateral positioning on oxygenation in noninvasively ventilated COVID-19 patient

Background: Due to the sudden outbreak of covid 19, we lost almost 6230357 deaths till date. Covid 19 causes hypoxemia. As we know, body positions can improve oxygenation by various physiological changes. Many literatures showed prone position improved oxygenation in covid19 patients. So, we want to explore whether lateral position improves oxygenation status in covid19 infected noninvasively ventilated patients during first wave of covid19 pandemic. Objectives: Aim of this prospective observational study to evaluate the impact of lateral position on oxygenation in non-invasively ventilated covid 19 patients. Methods: we enrolled non-invasively ventilated covid 19 patients from 18 years to 70 years of age and hemodynamically stable patients who were in supine position but planned to give lateral position by ICU consultant. We noted hemodynamic, oxygenation status and ABGA parameter after one hour of lateral positioning. Results: Out of 100 patients, 67 were male and 33 were female. 31 patients had Diabetes as a comorbidity, 35 patients had hypertension. Out of 3 patients, 4 had IHD and 3 had hypothyroidism. SpO2 by pulse oximetry, SO2 and PO2 from ABGA showed statistically significant increase after one hour of lateral positioning. There were no significant changes in hemodynamic parameters after lateral positioning.