BackgroundWhat kind of feeding should be provided during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI) is not clear. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective observational study to determine whether providing early postpyloric feeding (PPF) (<24 h after admission) is beneficial or harmful for patients with this condition. MethodsThis study retrospectively screened 78 patients with LHI who were treated with TH from one neurological intensive care unit (ICU). The patients were receiving either early PPF (n = 52) or early parenteral nutrition (PN) (n = 26). Data regarding 30-day mortality, neurological outcome, nutrition-related laboratory indicators, ICU hospitalization time, mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, and complications were collected. ResultsA greater number of patients who received early PPF had favorable neurologic outcome than those who received early PN (57.7% vs 30.7%, P = 0.025). The early PPF group had a lower severity of pulmonary infection than the early PN group, as measured by the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (7.33 & PLUSMN; 0.96 vs 9.42 & PLUSMN; 2.11, P = 0.006). The total protein and hemoglobin levels in the early PPF group were higher than those in the early PN group (59.56 & PLUSMN; 5.09 vs 56.52 & PLUSMN; 7.94 g/L, P = 0.046; 131.06 & PLUSMN; 19.58 vs 122.07 & PLUSMN; 17.72 g/L, P = 0.045). The MV duration and ICU hospitalization time were shorter in the early PPF group (13 [9;21] vs 21 [14;30] days, P = 0.006; 28 [22;36] vs 34 [33;51] days, P = 0.014). There were no significant differences in the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections, 30-day mortality, or nutrition intolerance between the two groups. ConclusionEarly PPF is an effective and safe enteral nutrition method for patients with LHI receiving TH.