Treating status epilepticus in adults. / Behandling av status epilepticus hos voksne.

This clinical review examines the treatment of status epilepticus, a condition in which epileptic seizures are prolonged and pose a significant risk of brain damage and death. International guidelines recommend the use of benzodiazepines as first-line treatment, and these should be administered promptly and in appropriate doses. Second-line treatment involves the use of high-dose anti-seizure medications to stop and prevent seizures. If seizure activity persists, general anaesthesia should be administered as soon as possible. All neurological hospital departments should have established and rehearsed protocols for treating status epilepticus.

Prognostic factors of status epilepticus in adults.

AIM: Status epilepticus (SE) can lead to sequelae or even death. Identifying characteristics associated with poor outcome is crucial in guiding patient treatment. Based on our retrospective patient cohorts, potential prognostic factors were analysed. METHODS: Patients consecutively treated for refractory convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) between 2001 and 2010 and non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) between 2004 and 2009 were studied. Outcome was compared to prognostic variables. Index SE episodes were used for the statistical analyses. Crosstabs and independent samples t-test were applied. Due to sample size, logistic regression was performed for the combined groups. RESULTS: In total, 50% (9/18) of index refractory CSE and 42% (16/38) of index NCSE episodes led to sequelae. Refractory CSE requiring narcosis for >20 hours was associated with poor outcome (p=0.05). De novo presentation (p=0.0001), long-lasting SE (>2 hours) (p=0.014), age >65 years (p=0.002), and refractory SE (p=0.047) were predictors of poor outcome following NCSE. Based on logistic regression for combined refractory CSE and NCSE, de novo presentation was identified as the strongest predictor of sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Older age and de novo SE are predictors of sequelae following NCSE. Prolonged SE is a risk factor for poor outcome, both for refractory CSE and NCSE. Aggressive initial treatment to terminate seizures during the early phase is therefore essential.

Adult nonconvulsive status epilepticus in a clinical setting: Semiology, aetiology, treatment and outcome.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to study the semiology, aetiology, treatment and outcome of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in adults. METHODS: All NCSE episodes in an unselected hospital cohort in the period 2004-2009 were identified, and the files reviewed. STESS (Status Epilepticus Severity Scale) was conducted retrospectively and correlated to outcome. Follow-up was undertaken after >2 years. RESULTS: 48 NCSEs in 39 patients, 22 men and 17 women, were found. Mean age was 63 years. 23/39 (59%) patients had established epilepsy. The underlying cause of NCSE was cerebrovascular disease in 17/39 (44%). 37/48 (77%) NCSEs were complex focal status epilepticus. 3/48 NCSEs (6.3%) lead to death, whereas 8.5% lead to severe sequelae. Cognitive sequelae were found after 14.9% of NCSEs. The outcome was worst in the group with no prior epilepsy (p=0.013). STESS had a negative predictive value of 96% (cut-off value of 3) for severe sequelae and death combined (p<0.002). CONCLUSIONS: NCSE has a potential for severe sequelae and represents an emergency in need of intensive treatment. The major determinant of outcome is the underlying cause. The outcome was worse in patients without epilepsy than in patients with epilepsy. STESS is of value in predicting outcome. Cognitive sequelae following NCSE can occur, but need further investigation with prospective, systematic studies.

Propofol treatment in adult refractory status epilepticus. Mortality risk and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively study effect and safety of propofol treatment in adult refractory generalised tonic clonic status epilepticus. BACKGROUND: Therapy refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as a status that does not respond to 1st or 2nd line of treatment. Different anaesthetics are used to treat RSE, but no definite recommendations or priority has been scientifically established. METHODS: Propofol has been the preferred agent for treating RSE at our intensive care unit since 2001. We present treatment mode, effect and outcome in 18 patients with 27 consecutive cases of RSE treated 2001-2010. Fifteen patients had 1 episode, and 3 patients had 2, 3 and 7 episodes, respectively. Mortality risk for each case of RSE was estimated using the Simplified Acute Physiology (SAPS) II score. RESULTS: Probable trigger factors were identified for 22 of the 27 RSE episodes. In 16/27 episodes seizures lasted more than 2h before anaesthesia was induced. A mean total dose of 7885.1mg was given for a mean duration of 34.4h. Break through seizures occurred in 8 of the patients and in 2 episodes of RSE in one patient, i.e. 9/27 episodes of RSE. Propofol was changed to another anaesthetic agent in 2 episodes. Complications occurred in 17 of the RSE episodes, the most frequent was pneumonia (9/27). One patient had complications that could be related to a propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS). In 8 of 18 patients and 14/27 RSE episodes no sequelae occurred. Seven episodes were associated with mild and 4 with severe sequelae and 2 of the patients died. We found a trend only for SAPS II score being higher in patients with more severe sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support propofol as an effective anaesthetic for treating RSE. Close clinical observation for possible PRIS is warranted if propofol is given for more than 48h.