Standardized antipyretic treatment in stroke: a pilot study.

Background: Fever after acute cerebral injury is associated with unfavorable functional outcome and increased mortality, but there is controversy about the optimal antipyretic treatment. This study investigated an institutional standard operating procedure (SOP) for fever treatment in stroke patients including a sequence of pharmacologic and physical interventions.

Methods: A 4-step antipyretic SOP was established for patients with acute cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage and a body temperature ≥37.