Risk of pneumonia associated with zero‐degree head positioning in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator

Abstract

Zero-degree head of bed positioning in the first 24 h following an acute ischemic stroke treated with IV-tPA was associated with acceptable rates of pneumonia. Rates for pneumonia may be further reduced by eliminating use of a 0° protocol in intubated/mechanically ventilated patients.