The Mechanical Power in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Undergoing Prone Positioning Can Predict Mortality.

Summary

This study reports that mechanical power—a composite measure of the energy delivered to the respiratory system—during prone ventilation in ARDS predicts mortality. Incorporating mechanical power into bedside monitoring may enhance risk stratification alongside traditional parameters.

Key Findings

• Mechanical power measured during prone positioning in ARDS predicted mortality.
• The prognostic signal emerges in the specific context of prone ventilation, a standard therapy for moderate-to-severe ARDS.
• Mechanical power may be suitable for integration into bedside risk stratification and ventilator management.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians could monitor and aim to minimize mechanical power during prone ventilation to potentially reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and identify high-risk patients.

Limitations

• Study design details and sample size not provided in the abstract
• Potential confounding and center-specific practices in observational prognostic analyses

Future Directions

Prospective, multi-center validation to define actionable mechanical power thresholds and test whether mechanical power–targeted ventilation improves outcomes.