Inspiratory and end-expiratory effects of lung recruitment in the prone position on dorsal lung aeration - new physiological insights in a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled study in post-cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Cardiac surgery produces dorso-basal atelectasis and ventilation/perfusion mismatch, associated with infection and prolonged intensive care. A postoperative lung volume recruitment manoeuvre to decrease the degree of atelectasis is routine. In patients with severe respiratory failure, prone positioning and recruitment manoeuvres may increase survival, oxygenation, or both.