After a closed head injury, what angle should the patient’s head be elevated to?

Elevating a patient’s head after a closed head injury is crucial for several reasons, primarily to reduce intracranial pressure and promote venous drainage from the brain. Elevating the head to an angle between 20 and 30 degrees strikes a balance that helps in optimizing cerebral perfusion while minimizing the risk of worsening the patient’s condition.

At this elevation, it facilitates the reduction of pressure within the skull without compromising blood flow to the brain. Higher angles, while potentially beneficial in some circumstances, can lead to adverse effects, such as compromising venous return and increasing intracranial pressure. Thus, positioning the patient’s head at 20 to 30 degrees is a standard practice recommended in many protocols for managing closed head injuries effectively.