Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effects of sequential lateral positioning in mechanically ventilated patients with Stroke-Associated Pneumonia (SAP), aiming to provide a reference for promoting pulmonary rehabilitation in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 74 mechanically ventilated patients with SAP admitted to a tertiary grade A hospital in Nanchang from June to December 2024 were recruited using the convenience sampling method and randomly divided into a control group (n=37) and an observation group (n=37). The control group received routine mechanical ventilation care and regular body-turning, while the observation group received additional sequential lateral positioning, and both groups were intervened for 7 consecutive days. The arterial blood gas indicators, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS), mechanical ventilation time, vital signs, and adverse events between the two groups were compared before and on the 3rd and 7th days of the intervention. Results: On the 7th day of the intervention, the PaO2/FiO2 in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the CPIS score was lower (both P<0.05). The mechanical ventilation time of observation group was 5(4,8) days, which was significantly shorter than that of 7(6, 16) days in the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in pH, PaCO2, and vital signs between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were no adverse events such as aspiration or pressure injury during the intervention period in both groups. Conclusion: Sequential lateral positioning can effectively improve oxygenation and pulmonary infection in mechanically ventilated patients with SAP, potentially shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Key words: sequential lateral position; Stroke-Associated Pneumonia; mechanical ventilation; oxygenation index; Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score