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Intraoperative and intraprocedural use of 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: An International European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care survey of cardiac surgical centersObjective: To assess the intraoperative use of 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) in cardiac surgical centers, the authors created a survey aimed at evaluating the availability of equipment and the use of 3D TEE for specific surgical and interventional procedures and single-image modalities. The respondents were asked to identify the perceived impact on patient management and current limitations to its routine use. Design: A multiple choice 25-question online survey submitted to the members of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) on December 6, 2021, and closed on January 31, 2022. Setting: An online survey. Participants: Registered EACTAIC members in 2021. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: A total of 239 respondents from 44 different countries took part in the survey (27% of the total 903 EACTAIC members). Most respondents (59%) were TEE-certified by the National Board of Echocardiography, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI/EACTAIC), or had a national certificate. Of the respondents, 68% had no formal 3D TEE training. Eight percent of respondents had no 3D machines, whereas 40% had one for each operating room, and 33% had only one for the entire operating room block. 3D TEE was performed most frequently in more than 67% of cases for mitral valve surgery, and in more than 54% of cases for mitral and tricuspid clips, aortic valve, tricuspid valve, and aortic surgery. Conclusion: Current guidelines suggest integrating 3D TEE into all comprehensive examinations. The authors' survey reported that intraoperative 3D TEE was used in the majority of mitral valve surgery and only one-half of the other valve surgeries and transcatheter procedures. Its use may be explained by the availability of 3D machines, trained personnel, and limited time to perform TEE in the operating room. Educational initiatives for training in 3D TEE may further increase its routine use.
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Correlation of serum magnesium levels with clinical outcome: A prospective observational study in critically ill patients admitted to a tertiary care ICU in IndiaBackground: We studied the incidence of magnesium (Mg) disturbances in patients admitted to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) and correlated serum magnesium levels with clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 280 critically ill patients aged above 18 years and admitted to the ICU. Serum magnesium levels at admission were correlated with mortality, need for and duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay, presence of comorbid conditions, and electrolyte disturbances. Result: There was a high incidence of Mg disturbances at admission among patients admitted to the ICU. The incidence of hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia was 40.9 and 13.9% respectively. The mean Mg level among patients who expired was 1.55 ± 0.68 mg/dL, and the association with outcome was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001).Hypomagnesemia (HypoMg) was associated with significantly higher mortality (51.3%) as compared to normomagnesemia (NormoMg) (29.3%) and hypermagnesemia (HyperMg) (23.1%) (HypoMg vs NormoMg, HypoMg vs HyperMg, p = 0.001, 0.002 respectively). The need for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in hypomagnesemic as compared to hypermagnesemia patients (p = 0.012). The association of baseline APACHE II and SOFA scores with serum Mg levels was statistically significant (p = 0.001 and 0.002 respectively).The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders was significantly higher among hypomagnesemia patients (HypoMg vs NormoMg, p = 0.023), while chronic kidney disease was significantly higher in hypermagnesemic patients (HypoMg vs HyperMg, p = 0.0009, NormoMg vs HyperMg, p = 0.0004). On comparing the incidence of electrolyte disorders between HypoMg, NormoMg, and HyperMg groups, it was found that hypokalemia and hypocalcemia (p = 0.0003 and 0.039 respectively) were associated with hypomagnesemia and hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia (p = 0.001 and 0.005 respectively) were associated with hypermagnesemia. Conclusion: Our study highlights the role of Mg monitoring in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU and its value for a favorable outcome. We found that hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with adverse outcomes and higher mortality in critically ill patients. Intensivists should maintain a high index of suspicion for Mg disturbances and evaluate patients appropriately. How to cite this article: Gonuguntla V, Talwar V, Krishna B, Srinivasan G. Correlation of Serum Magnesium Levels with Clinical Outcome: A Prospective Observational Study in Critically Ill Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Care ICU in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(5):342-347.
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Mechanisms of acute right ventricular injury in cardiothoracic surgical and critical care settings: part 2The right ventricle (RV) is intricately linked in the clinical presentation of critical illness; however, the basis of this is not well-understood and has not been studied as extensively as the left ventricle. There has been an increased awareness of the need to understand how the RV is affected in different critical illness states. In addition, the increased use of point-of-care echocardiography in the critical care setting has allowed for earlier identification and monitoring of the RV in a patient who is critically ill. The first part of this review describes and characterizes the RV in different perioperative states. This second part of the review discusses and analyzes the complex pathophysiologic relationships between the RV and different critical care states. There is a lack of a universal RV injury definition because it represents a range of abnormal RV biomechanics and phenotypes. The term "RV injury" (RVI) has been used to describe a spectrum of presentations, which includes diastolic dysfunction (early injury), when the RV retains the ability to compensate, to RV failure (late or advanced injury). Understanding the mechanisms leading to functional 'uncoupling' between the RV and the pulmonary circulation may enable perioperative physicians, intensivists, and researchers to identify clinical phenotypes of RVI. This, consequently, may provide the opportunity to test RV-centric hypotheses and potentially individualize therapies.
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Thombosis, major bleeding, and survival in COVID-19 supported by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the first vs second wave: a multicenter observational study in the United KingdomBackground: Bleeding and thrombosis are major complications of veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Objectives: To assess thrombosis, major bleeding (MB), and 180-day survival in patients supported by VV-ECMO between the first (March 1 to May 31, 2020) and second (June 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An observational study of 309 consecutive patients (aged ≥ 18years) with severe COVID-19 supported by VV-ECMO was performed in 4 nationally commissioned ECMO centers in the United Kingdom. Results: Median age was 48 (19-75) years, and 70.6% were male. Probabilities of survival, thrombosis, and MB at 180 days in the overall cohort were 62.5% (193/309), 39.8% (123/309), and 30% (93/309), respectively. In multivariate analysis, an age of >55 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.29; 95% CI, 1.33-3.93; P = .003) and an elevated creatinine level (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.19-3.08; P = .008) were associated with increased mortality. Correction for duration of VV-ECMO support, arterial thrombosis alone (HR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.5-5.9; P = .002) or circuit thrombosis alone (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.4-6.3; P < .001) but not venous thrombosis increased mortality. MB during ECMO had a 3-fold risk (95% CI, 2.6-5.8, P < .001) of mortality. The first wave cohort had more males (76.7% vs 64%; P = .014), higher 180-day survival (71.1% vs 53.3%; P = .003), more venous thrombosis alone (46.4% vs 29.2%; P = .02), and lower circuit thrombosis (9.2% vs 28.1%; P < .001). The second wave cohort received more steroids (121/150 [80.6%] vs 86/159 [54.1%]; P < .0001) and tocilizumab (20/150 [13.3%] vs 4/159 [2.5%]; P = .005). Conclusion: MB and thrombosis are frequent complications in patients on VV-ECMO and significantly increase mortality. Arterial thrombosis alone or circuit thrombosis alone increased mortality, while venous thrombosis alone had no effect. MB during ECMO support increased mortality by 3.9-fold.
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Duration of type 2 diabetes and incidence of cancer: an observational study in EnglandObjective: To investigate the association between duration of type 2 diabetes and cancer incidence. Research design and methods: In the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database, we identified 130,764 individuals with type 2 diabetes aged ≥35 years at diagnosis who were linked to hospital and mortality records. We used sex-stratified Royston-Parmar models with two time scales to estimate incidence rates of all cancers, the four commonest cancers in the United Kingdom (colorectal, lung, prostate, breast), and the obesity-related cancers (e.g., liver, ovary) between 1 January 1998 and 14 January 2019, by age and diabetes duration. Results: During 1,089,923 person-years, 18,977 incident cancers occurred. At the same age, rates of all cancers in men and women did not vary across durations ranging from diagnosis to 20 years; conversely, for any duration, there was a strong, positive association between age and cancer rates. In men, the rate ratio (95% CI) comparing 20 with 5 years of duration was 1.18 (0.82-1.69) at 60 years of age and 0.90 (0.75-1.08) at 80 years; corresponding ratios in women were 1.07 (0.71-1.63) and 0.84 (0.66-1.05). This pattern was observed also for the four commonest cancers. For obesity-related cancers, although rates were generally higher in individuals with a higher BMI, there was no association with duration at any level of BMI. Conclusions: In this study, we did not find evidence of an association between duration of type 2 diabetes and risk of cancer, with the higher risk observed for longer durations related to ageing.
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Con: artificial intelligence-derived algorithms to guide perioperative blood management decision makingArtificial intelligence has the potential to improve the care that is given to patients; however, the predictive models created are only as good as the base data used in their design. Perioperative blood management presents a complex clinical conundrum in which significant variability and the unstructured nature of the required data make it difficult to develop precise prediction models. There is a potential need for training clinicians to ensure they can interrogate the system and override when errors occur. Current systems created to predict perioperative blood transfusion are not generalizable across clinical settings, and there is a considerable cost implication required to research and develop artificial intelligence systems that would disadvantage resource-poor health systems. In addition, a lack of strong regulation currently means it is difficult to prevent bias.
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Exploring perceptions regarding family-based delirium management in the intensive care unitBackground: Delirium is a common complication in patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Family members can help alleviate patient anxiety and may be able to aid in the management of delirium. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of former ICU patients and their families together, regarding the involvement of family in delirium management. Method: Nine audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews took place with former ICU patients together with a family member. Participants were interviewed after their intensive care follow-up clinic appointment in an East Midlands hospital in England. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: 'understanding about delirium'; 'influencers of delirium management: family and healthcare professionals' and 'family-based delirium care'. Participants expressed that family have a valuable role to play in the management of delirium in the ICU. However, education and guidance is needed to support the family in how delirium can be managed and the current treatment options available. It is important for ICU staff to gain an understanding of the patient's life and personality to personalise delirium management to the needs of the patient and their family. Conclusion: This study found that family presence and knowledge about the patient may be beneficial to delirium management in the ICU. Further research should investigate the effectiveness of the strategies and interventions to understand their influence on delirium management in ICU patients.
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Right ventricular injury increases mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A systematic review and meta-analysisRight ventricular injury (RVI) in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is well recognized as an important determinant risk factor of mortality. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is part of the algorithm for the management of patients with severe ARDS and severely impaired gas exchange. Although VV-ECMO may theoretically protect the RV it is uncertain to what degree RVI persists despite VV-ECMO support, and whether it continues to influence mortality after ECMO initiation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of RVI on mortality in this context, testing the hypothesis that RVI worsens mortality in this cohort. We performed a systematic search that identified seven studies commenting on RVI and mortality in patients with ARDS receiving VV-ECMO. The presence of RVI was associated with greater mortality overall (odds ratios [OR]: 2.72; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.52-4.85; p < 0.00) and across three subgroups (RV dilatational measures: OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.51-8.14; p < 0.01, RV functional measures: OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 0.99-3.42; p = 0.05, RV measurements post-ECMO initiation: OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.01-3.72; p < 0.05). Prospective studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship between RVI and mortality in this patient group and the best management strategies to reduce mortality.
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Experience with the Crescent® cannula for adult respiratory VV ECMO: a case seriesIntroduction: The Crescent® is a recently introduced dual lumen cannula by which veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is delivered. It has a number of features that enhance its ease of placement, pressure-flow dynamics and may reduce catheter-related complication rates. Methods: We present the first case series of its kind analysing this device by means of a retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data from the first year of its use in a high volume severe acute respiratory failure centre (Glenfield, UK). We compare complication rates of the Crescent®, with data from the international ELSO database and our own historic centre data and discuss subjective clinician experience of introducing this device. Results: Over the first 12 months of its use (23/09/2019-23/09/2020), 54 patients were cannulated using a Crescent® catheter. There were no serious/life-threatening adverse events and a low number of minor cannula-related complications. Subjectively users found it has a number of advantages over other devices and configurations, not captured within current data collection frameworks. Conclusion: The Crescent® is a safe and effective device by which to deliver VV ECMO support to patients with severe acute respiratory failure.
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Temperature management of adult burn patients in intensive care: findings from a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary centre in the United KingdomIntroduction: Patients with major burn injury are prone to hypothermia, potentially resulting in an increase in mortality and length of hospital stay. Our study comprehensively evaluates the practicalities of physiological thermoregulation and temperature control in the largest cohort of critically ill adult burn patients to date. Material and methods: This retrospective study of routinely collected patient data from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the West Midlands Burn Centre was conducted over a three-year period (2016-2019). Data were analysed to assess temperature control against local and International Society for Burn Injury (ISBI) standards. Results: Thirty-one patients with significant burn injuries, requiring active critical care treatment for more than 48 hours were included (total body surface area [TBSA] mean = 42.7%, SD = 18.1%; revised Baux score [rBaux] = 99, SD = 25). The majority were male (77.29%) with an average age of 44 years (17-77 years). The patients were cared for in the ICU for a total of 15 119 hours. Hypothermia, defined as core temperature below 36.0°C, was recorded for 251 hours (2% of total stay). Only 27 patients (87%) had their temperature ≥ 36°C for more than 95% of their admission. Non-survivors were more prone to hypothermia during their stay in ICU. There was an association between rBaux score and post-opera-tive temperature, with a 0.12°C decrease per 10 points increase in rBaux score (P = 0.04). Conclusions: We have observed a high variability of temperature control between individual patients, especially in non-survivors, and have demonstrated an association between high rBaux score and poor temperature control, specifically during the postoperative period.
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FUSIC HD. Comprehensive haemodynamic assessment with ultrasoundFUSIC haemodynamics (HD) - the latest Focused Ultrasound in Intensive Care (FUSIC) module created by the Intensive Care Society (ICS) - describes a complete haemodynamic assessment with ultrasound based on ten key clinical questions: 1. Is stroke volume abnormal? 2. Is stroke volume responsive to fluid, vasopressors or inotropes? 3. Is the aorta abnormal? 4. Is the aortic valve, mitral valve or tricuspid valve severely abnormal? 5. Is there systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve? 6. Is there a regional wall motion abnormality? 7. Are there features of raised left atrial pressure? 8. Are there features of right ventricular impairment or raised pulmonary artery pressure? 9. Are there features of tamponade? 10. Is there venous congestion? FUSIC HD is the first system of its kind to interrogate major cardiac, arterial and venous structures to direct time-critical interventions in acutely unwell patients. This article explains the rationale for this accreditation, outlines the training pathway and summarises the ten clinical questions. Further details are included in an online supplementary appendix.
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Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets: Diagnosis and management in critical careA thirty-year-old pregnant woman was admitted to hospital with headache and gastrointestinal discomfort. She developed peripheral oedema and had an emergency caesarean section following an episode of tonic-clonic seizures. Her delivery was further complicated by postpartum haemorrhage and she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for further resuscitation and seizure control which required infusions of magnesium and multiple anticonvulsants. Despite haemodynamic optimisation she developed an acute kidney injury with evidence of liver damage, thrombocytopenia and haemolysis. Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome, a multisystem disease of advanced pregnancy which overlaps with pre-eclampsia, was diagnosed. HELLP syndrome is associated with a range of complications which may require critical care support, including placental abruption and foetal loss, acute kidney injury, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, acute liver failure and liver capsule rupture. Definitive treatment of HELLP is delivery of the fetus and in its most severe forms requires admission to the ICU for multiorgan support. Therapeutic strategies in ICU are mainly supportive and include blood pressure control, meticulous fluid balance and possibly escalation to renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, neuroprotection, seizure control, and management of liver failure-related complications. Multidisciplinary input is essential for optimal treatment.
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Invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal support: a narrative review of strategies to mitigate lung injuryVeno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is indicated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and severely impaired gas exchange despite evidence-based lung protective ventilation, prone positioning and other parts of the standard algorithm for treating such patients. Extracorporeal support can facilitate ultra-lung-protective ventilation, meaning even lower volumes and pressures than standard lung-protective ventilation, by directly removing carbon dioxide in patients needing injurious ventilator settings to maintain sufficient gas exchange. Injurious ventilation results in ventilator-induced lung injury, which is one of the main determinants of mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Marked reductions in the intensity of ventilation to the lowest tolerable levels under extracorporeal support may be achieved and could thereby potentially mitigate ventilator-induced lung injury and theoretically patient self-inflicted lung injury in spontaneously breathing patients with high respiratory drive. However, the benefits of this strategy may be counterbalanced by the use of continuous deep sedation and even neuromuscular blocking drugs, which may impair physical rehabilitation and impact long-term outcomes. There are currently a lack of large-scale prospective data to inform optimal invasive ventilation practices and how to best apply a holistic approach to patients receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, while minimising ventilator-induced and patient self-inflicted lung injury. We aimed to review the literature relating to invasive ventilation strategies in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal support and discuss personalised ventilation approaches and the potential role of adjunctive therapies in facilitating lung protection.
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Vascular thrombosis in severe COVID-19 requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A multicenter studyObjectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 has been reported to be a prothrombotic condition; however, multicenter data comparing this with other viral pneumonias in those requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are lacking. We conducted a multicenter study using whole-body CT to examine the prevalence, severity, and nature of vascular complications in coronavirus disease 2019 in comparison with patients with other viral pneumonias. Design: We analyzed whole-body CT scans for the presence of vascular thrombosis (defined as pulmonary artery thrombus, venous thrombus, systemic arterial thrombus, or end-organ infarct). The severity, distribution, and morphology of pulmonary artery thrombus were characterized. Competing risk cumulative incidence analysis was used to compare survival with discharge. Setting: Three centers of the English national extracorporeal membrane oxygenation service. Patients: Consecutive patients admitted with either coronavirus disease 2019 or noncoronavirus disease 2019 viral pneumonia admitted from January 2019. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: One-hundred thirty-six patients (45.2 ± 10.6 yr old, 39/146 [27%] female) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support underwent whole-body CT scans at admission. Of these, 86 had coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia, and 50 had noncoronavirus disease 2019 viral pneumonia. Vascular thrombosis was seen more often in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (odds ratio, 12.9 [95% CI 4.5-36.8]). In those with coronavirus disease 2019, 57 (73%) demonstrated pulmonary artery thrombus or pulmonary perfusion defects. Eighty-two percent of thrombus exhibited emboli-like morphology. The location of pulmonary artery thrombus and parenchymal perfusion defects was only concordant in 30% of cases. The risk of mortality was higher in those with coronavirus disease 2019 compared with noncoronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia (χ2 = 3.94; p = 0.047). Mortality was no different in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with or without vascular thrombosis (χ2 = 0.44; p = 0.51). Conclusions: In patients who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with a higher prevalence of vascular thrombosis compared with noncoronavirus disease viral pneumonias. The pattern of pulmonary vascular changes suggests concurrent embolic disease and small vessel disease. Despite this, vascular thrombosis was not linked to poorer short-term prognosis in those with coronavirus disease 2019.
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Long-term follow-up of survivors of extracorporeal life support therapy for cardiogenic shock: Are they really survivors?Background and Objectives: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a medical emergency associated with a high mortality rate. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has become an accepted therapy for CS. Despite widely available data for short-term survival rates, there are only limited data available regarding long-term outcomes following successful VA-ECMO therapy. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the demographics, past medical history, adverse events, and outcomes of survivors who received VA-ECMO support for CS at our center from January 2012 to December 2019. Post-cardiotomy cases were excluded. Results: A total of 578 VA-ECMO implantations on 564 consecutive patients due to CS were identified during the study period. Successful weaning was achieved in 207 (36.7%) patients. Among the survivors, 126 (63%) patients received VA-ECMO therapy without preceding cardiac surgery during their current admission. A follow-up exceeding 12 (mean: 36 ± 20.9) months was available in a total of 55 (43.7%) survivors. The mean VA-ECMO perfusion time was 10.9 (±7.7) days with a mean intensive care unit (ICU) stay of 38.2 (±29.9) days and a mean hospital stay of 49.9 (±30.5) days. A total of 3 deaths were recorded during long-term follow-up (mean survival of 26 ± 5.3 months). Conclusions: Despite the high mortality associated with VA-ECMO therapy, a long-term follow-up with an acceptably low rate of negative cardiac events can be achieved in many survivors. We observed an acceptable low rate of new cardiac events. Further evaluation, including a quality-of-life assessment and a close follow-up for rarer complications in these patients, is needed to elucidate the longer-term outcomes for survivors of invasive VA-ECMO therapy.
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Effect of serial awake prone positioning on oxygenation in patients admitted to intensive care with COVID-19Introduction: Awake prone positioning (APP) might benefit patients with COVID-19 by improving oxygenation, but it is unknown whether this improvement can be sustained with serial proning episodes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of adults with COVID-19 admitted to one intensive care unit, in those who underwent APP and controls. Patients in both groups had type 1 respiratory failure requiring oxygen (but not initially intubated), confirmed SARS-CoV-2 PCR by nasopharyngeal swab and findings of multifocal ground-glass opacities on imaging. For the APP group, serial SpO2/FiO2 measurements were recorded after each proning episode. Results: Of 77 patients admitted, 50 (65%) were excluded because they had already been intubated. Another 7 (9%) had undergone APP prior to admission. Of the remaining 20, 10 underwent APP and 10 were controls. Patients in both groups had similar demographics, subsequent intubation and survival. Of those who underwent APP, SpO2/FiO2 was most likely to increase after the first episode (before median: 152, IQR 135-185; after: median 192, IQR 156-234, p=0.04). Half of participants (5) in the APP group were unable to tolerate more than two APP episodes. Conclusions: Most patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care are not suitable for APP. Of those who are, many cannot tolerate more than two episodes. Improvements in SpO2/FiO2 secondary to APP are transient and most likely in the first episode. Our findings may explain why other studies have failed to show improvements in mortality from APP despite improvements in oxygenation.