Table 1 Characteristics at the time of inclusion or day 1 between survivors and non-survivors at day 90

Male gender

542 (68.9)

366 (68.7)

176 (69.3)

0.923

Age, years

59 ± 16

56 ± 15

66 ± 14

<0.001

SAPS II on ICU admission

45 ± 15

45 ± 16

51 ± 15

<0.001

SOFA score on day 1

7 ± 4

7 ± 4

9 ± 4

<0.001

Continuous NMBA as allocation group

173 (22.0)

117 (22.0)

56 (22.0)

0.976

Prone position as allocation group

233 (34.4)

181 (34.0)

52 (20.5)

<0.001

Arterial pH on day 1

7.35 ± 0.09

7.36 ± 0.08

7.32 ± 0.10

<0.001

PaCO₂ on day 1, mmHg

47 ± 11

46 ± 11

47 ± 11

0.076

PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio on day 1

159 ± 74

163 ± 76

152 ± 68

0.056

Lactate on day 1, mmol/L

2.0 ± 1.9

1.8 ± 1.6

2.4 ± 2.2

<0.001

Respiratory rate on day 1,/minute

27 ± 6

26 ± 5

27 ± 6

0.010

Tidal volume on day 1, ml

397 ± 76

398 ± 76

395 ± 78

0.413

Tidal volume on day 1, ml/PBW kg

6.3 ± 0.8

6.2 ± 0.8

6.3 ± 0.8

0.691

PEEP on day 1, cm H2O

10 ± 3

10 ± 3

10 ± 3

0.210

Plateau pressure on day 1, cm H₂O

23 ± 4

23 ± 4

24 ± 4

<0.001

Tidal compliance on day 1, ml/cm H₂O

33 ± 12

34 ± 12

31 ± 12

0.016

Driving pressure on day 1, cm H₂O

13 ± 4

13 ± 4

14 ± 4

0.002

Mechanical power on day 1, J/min

13.4 ± 5.0

13.0 ± 4.8

14.3 ± 5.4

<0.001