Functioning of the Human Heart in the Pron-Position

Abstract

Aim To study intracardiac hemodynamics in healthy men in supine and prone positions.Material and methods This echocardiography study included 14 apparently healthy men at a mean age of 38 years.Results In a prone position, the heart configuration and location in the chest changed, the heart rate increased by 7.3 %, and the transaortic flow velocity decreased by 13.7 %. Also, early and late right ventricular diastolic filling velocities and the pulmonary artery flow velocity were increased by 31.7, 11.4, and 5.6 %, respectively. In the intact tricuspid valve, the velocity and regurgitation pressure gradient were reduced by 7 % and 14.2 %, respectively.Conclusion In a prone position, spatial changes in the location of the heart and its structures influence velocities of intracardiac blood flow, which may initiate the development of heart failure if the prone position is long-lasting.

Understanding the Physiological Connection: Cardiac Arrest Following Prone Positioning

“…The prone position can also increase intrathoracic pressure, thereby reducing inferior vena cava filling, atrial filling, and LV compliance with a subsequent decrease in cardiac output [ 4 , 5 ]. Prone positioning in healthy adult males demonstrated a 7.3% increase in heart rate, while the transaortic flow velocity decreased by 13.7% [ 7 ].…”