Patient positioning influences oxygen saturation in the acute phase of stroke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We evaluated arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) and heart rate in acute stroke patients to determine whether routine positioning affected these physiological parameters. Measurements were recorded at the bedside non-invasively in five different positions assigned in random order each maintained for 10 min. One hundred and twenty-nine patients examined within a median of 72 h, lying on the left side resulted in slightly lower SaO(2) than lying on the right side, which was statistically significant in the patients with a right (n = 66), but not left, hemiparesis. Patients able to sit in a chair (n = 65), who mostly had less severe strokes, had a significantly higher mean SaO(2) and heart rate when sitting in the chair than when placed in any other position. About 10% of patients, especially those with a severe stroke, with right hemiparesis and concomitant chest disease, experienced falls in SaO(2) to 90% or less for >/=2 min in certain positions; the hypoxia was more likely when they were lying on their left side. These results may have implications for current practice and for future patient positioning strategies to improve outcome after stroke.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)66-72
Number of pages7
JournalCerebrovascular diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anoxia
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oximetry
  • Oxygen
  • Posture
  • Stroke

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Patient positioning influences oxygen saturation in the acute phase of stroke'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this