[Stroke in children and adolescents]. / Insul't u detei i podrostkov.

OBJECTIVE: A comparative analysis of symptoms in arterial ischemic and stroke-like conditions in children, the development and analysis of the «Presumptive stroke in children¼ scale for prehospital diagnosis of ischemic strokes in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article analyzes cases of emergency hospitalization of children in a stroke center with suspected cerebrovascular pathology as well as the symptoms of patients with suspected ischemic stroke, compares the leading and final diagnoses, identifies the main «mimics¼ of stroke and their symptom complexes. A comparison of the obtained data with the results of previous studies was carried out. RESULTS: The results show the prevalence of motor disorders and coordination disorders in cases of ischemic stroke and cerebral symptoms in cases of stroke-like conditions in children. The most frequent stroke-mimic is migraine. Based on the results of the study, we propose a screening scale for pre-hospital diagnosis of ischemic stroke in children. A preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the scale using examples of cases of confirmed stroke and stroke-mimic was performed. CONCLUSION: Timely hospitalization of children with stroke can not only reduce mortality, but also use modern diagnostic and treatment methods to reduce the volume of brain damage with a possible complete restoration of motor and cognitive functions. Further analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the «Presumptive stroke in children¼ scale is required.

[The efficacy and tolerability of extended release carbamazepine in adult patients with new-onset epilepsy using epileptiform activity index]. / Effektivnost' i perenosimost' terapii prolongirovannym karbamazepinom vpervye vyyavlennoi fokal'noi epilepsii u vzroslykh s uchetom indeksa epileptiformnoi aktivnosti.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of extended release carbamazepine (finlepsin-retard and tegretol CR) in adult patients with new-onset focal epilepsy (FE) with the assessment of epileptiform activity index (EAI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 62 patients (38 (61.3%) men and 24 (38.7%) women) with new-onset FE aged ≥18 years (mean age 42.9±18.4 years). All patients underwent video-ECG-monitoring with EAI assessment at each visit. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the criteria of seizure absence (medically induced remission), seizure rate decrease by >50% (responders), seizure rate decrease by <50% - insufficient efficacy, retention on treatment and seizure rate increase compared to baseline and/or development of new type of seizures (aggravation). Overall study period was 12 months. RESULTS: By the end of the 12-month follow-up period, there was a 4.3-fold decrease of the total EAI compared to baseline (p<0.001). Retention on carbamazepine treatment during 12 months was achieved in 61.3% (n=38) patients; medically induced remission - in 40.3% (n=25); seizure rate decrease by >50% - in 21.0% (n=13). In 29.1% (n=18) of patients, treatment change was performed; double-drug therapy, including carbamazepine, was prescribed in 9.6% (n=6) of patients. Incidence of adverse events was 29.1% (n=18). CONCLUSIONS: Carbamazepine is an effective and promising drug for initial monotherapy of FE. Its use in the treatment of FE results in a 4.3-fold decrease of EAI (p<0.001), which reflects the efficacy of treatment. EAI is an additional objective measure of treatment efficacy.

[Dynamics of epileptiform activity, efficacy and tolerability of valproic acid in adults and adolescents with newly-diagnosed epilepsy]. / Dinamika epileptiformnoi aktivnosti, effektivnost' i perenosimost' preparatov val'proevoi kisloty pri vpervye vyyavlennoi epilepsii u podrostkov i vzroslykh.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of epileptiform activity index (EAI) as a measure of the efficacy and tolerability of treatment with valproic acid (VA) in patients with newly-diagnosed generalized and focal epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 93 patients (55 men and 38 women): 27 with focal epilepsy (FE) and 66 with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Patients with idiopathic and age-dependent FE were not included in the study. At each visit, video-EEG monitoring with the analysis of focal, diffuse and generalized epileptiform activity during wakefulness before sleep, during sleep, after sleep and during partial awakenings with quantitative EAI assessment at baseline, after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy was performed. Therapeutic drug monitoring was performed during dose titration 1 month after the start of treatment or in case of treatment change. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on the absence of seizures, decrease of seizure episodes by more than 50% (responders) and <50% (insufficient efficacy). Adverse effects (AE) were assessed using the Assessing SIDe effects in AED treatment scale (SIDAED). RESULTS: Maximal EAI was observed at baseline both in FE and IGE groups. In patients with IGE, the total EAI (52.8±7.8) was significantly higher compared to FE group (27.1±5.5 (p=0,027)). During wakefulness before sleep and during sleep EAI was significantly lower in the IGE group compared to FE patients (3.4±0. vs. 10.5±5.5 (p=0.003) and 4.3±0.8 vs. 8.9±3.7 (p=0.046), respectively). VA demonstrated the high efficacy and good tolerability in IGE and FE patients: after 12 months of treatment remission was achieved in 69 (74.2%) patients, the decrease of seizure frequency by more than 50% was observed in 22 (23,7%) patients, insufficient efficacy only in 2 (2.1%). AEs were registered only sporadically. CONCLUSIONS: VA remains one of the drugs of choice in IGE and FE. EAI may become an additional objective test in cases of difficult differential diagnosis in IGE and FE, using total EAI, EAI before sleep, during sleep, during partial awakenings in the first months of treatment (1-3 months). EAI objectively reflects the dynamics of VA treatment efficacy.

[Improving the diagnosis, treatment and secondary prevention of stroke using a unified online system: primary vascular department - regional vascular center - family doctor]. / Sovershenstvovanie diagnostiki, lecheniya i vtorichnoi profilaktiki insul'ta s ispol'zovaniem edinoi onlain-sistemy: pervichnoe sosudistoe otdelenie ­ regional'nyi sosudistyi tsentr ­ semeinyi vrach.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of the Stroke Platform (SP) in the Belgorod Region to improve the efficiency of diagnosis and care for patients with stroke. Stroke platform is a unified information platform that unites all stages of treatment of a patient with stroke, from the first symptoms to dispensary observation by a family doctor and control of targeted provision of medicines for the secondary prevention of vascular events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SP includes 6 modules: the Central Archive of Medical Images or the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and connection to a single circuit of all CT devices of the regional medical institutions; Stroke register; secondary prevention register; routing bureau; statistics and analytics; COVID platform. The SP, as it develops, can be supplemented with those modules that are necessary to improve the quality and availability of patient care. More than 100 consultations of CT images are carried out monthly through the SP, the average response time is less than 10 minutes, 52 platform participants are in constant contact, all medical institutions of the region are connected. Five hundred and forty patients were consulted for 6 months of 2020. RESULTS: The share of hospitalizations in specialized departments increased to 97.6% versus 86.3%. The availability of high-tech medical care for patients with stroke has increased due to timely transfer to the district vascular center. Endovascular interventions for aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations, stenting of extracerebral arteries during dissection, mechanical thrombectomy from large arteries are performed. Mortality decreased from 19.7% (2019) to 17.6%. At the stage of outpatient follow-up, it is possible to obtain information about the range of those drugs that are prescribed to the patient for prophylaxis and are delivered to the target. CONCLUSION: The main feature of the SP is the speed and efficiency of making medical decisions, ergonomics and ease of interaction, a single workspace.

[New possibilities of pharmacotherapy of epilepsy: eslicarbazepine acetate in treatment of focal epilepsy]. / Novye vozmozhnosti farmakoterapii épilepsii: mesto éslikarbazepina atsetata v lechenii fokal'nykh épilepsii.

The article provides an analysis of the latest antiepileptic drug eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) for the treatment of focal epilepsy in adults as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug-drug interactions, indications and dosage regimen are described. The authors present the latest data on the efficacy, tolerability and safety of ESL including an exploratory pooled analysis of data from 14 European clinical practice studies (Euro-Esli) as well as their own observations of 34 patients receiving ESL in monotherapy or combination therapy.

[Brivaracetam in the treatment of patients with epilepsy]. / Brivaratsetam v lechenii bol'nykh épilepsiei.

The newest antiepileptic drug (AED) brivaracetam (Briviac, UCB Pharma) (BRV) was approved in the Russian Federation in 2017 as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of partial seizures with/without secondary generalization in adults and adolescents over 16 years old with epilepsy. This review contains the data of BRV preclinical studies, pharmacokinetic profile and the results of comparative study of BRV and LEV. The results of main studies of efficacy and tolerability with pooled analysis as well as data from meta-analysis are presented. The authors present conclusions of the Russian leading epileptologists on perspectives of using BRV in different populations of epileptic patients. The use of BRV is able to provide long-term efficacy in terms of seizure control, is well tolerated, keeps quality of life and social activity of people with epilepsy.

[Lacosamide (vimpat). Prospects for clinical application]. / Lakosamid (vimpat). Perspektivy klinicheskogo primeneniia.

This article presents the review of the most significant studies of the efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide (LCM) in treatment of patients with focal epilepsy. The review includes the results of the main studies which preceded the official approval of LCM use in mono- and polytherapy. Results on the efficacy of LCM in long-term use and treatment retention in clinical practice, most effective LCM combinations, tolerability, an influence on cognitive and mental functions, advantages in treatment of elderly patients are presented. Characteristics of LCM in comparison with other sodium channel-blocking antiepileptic drugs and selection priorities are shown. The authors assess perspectives of further use of LCM in clinical practice.

[Russian experience of lacosamide (vimpat) usage in treatment of uncontrolled focal epilepsy]. / Rossiiskii opyt primeneniya lakosamida (vimpat) pri lechenii patsientov s nekontroliruemoi fokal'noi epilepsiei.

Many patients with epilepsy receive treatment in polytherapy. Selection of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the combination should be carried out in accordance with the principles of rational polytherapy, taking into account the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of drugs. Along with levetiracetam, gabapentin, vigabatrin and pregabalin, lacosamide (LCM) shows superior PK profile in rating of all AED and can be combined with any of them. The goal of this study was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of LCM in patients with uncontrolled partial onset seizures (POS) in routine clinical practice. METHODS: 181 patient's charts from 14 sites in Russia have been analyzed in retrospective manner. Patients 16 years old and older with POS with or without secondary generalization were included. Documented observation period of up to 12 months after initiation or until discontinuation of LCM therapy. Primary effectiveness variables was retention at Observational Point 3 (approximately 12 months). Other variables were: percentage change from historical baseline in seizure frequency, 50% and 75% treatment response and seizure-free status at the Observational Points 1, 2 and 3 (approximately 3, 6 and 12 months) and incidence and reason of treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: retention rate was high with 89.5% after 12-month observation. The development of seizure frequency showed a continuous decrease in terms of 50%, 75% treatment respond rates and seizure free status. A total of 5 adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation of LCM therapy were recorded in 5 of 181 patients (2.8%) during the observation period. The high retention rate observed in this retrospective chart review is assumed to indicate a good tolerability and effectiveness of an adjunctive LCM treatment in patients with uncontrolled partial epilepsy in Russia.

[Perampanel in pharmacotherapy of focal epilepsy: the efficacy and tolerability in routine clinical practice]. / Perampanel v terapii fokal'nykh epilepsii: effektivnost' i perenosimost' v povsednevnoi klinicheskoi praktike.

AIM: To analyze the efficacy and tolerability of the innovative drug perampanel (PER) as add-on treatment of focal epilepsy in patients older than 12 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with focal epilepsy, aged from 12 to 63 years, mean age 31.7 years, were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A decrease in the frequency of all types of seizures by >50% was noted in 46,5% of patients. Stopping of all types of seizures was found in 25.6% of patients, i.e. in every fourth patient, stopping of secondary-generalized seizures in 39.5%. Adverse effects (AE) were identified in 13 (28.2%) of patients, including aggressiveness - 6 (13.0%); other AE were less frequent (<10%): sleepiness (8.7%), dizziness (4.3%), postural instability (4.3%), irritability (4.3%). PER was withdrawn in 3 (6.5%) patients due to AE. Mean effective dose was 6 mg/day. Quality-of-life improved in the majority of patients (71.7%).

[Algorithms of mono- and polytherapy in clinical epileptology. Part 1. General principles of drug choice]. / Algoritmy mono- i politerapii v klinicheskoi épileptologii. Chast' 1. Obshchie printsipy vybora farmakoterapii.

The large number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at the physician's disposal provides not only a broad therapeutic potential in the treatment of epilepsy (EP), but creates difficulties in the adequate choice of AED. The sufficient experience in the management of patients with epilepsy has been gained so far in the world, based on which the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), updated classification, adopted the basic definition of efficiency, remission, resistance, evidence of research on the effectiveness of AED therapy, and introduced the concept of "resolved" epilepsy. In this article, a group of Russian experts suggest recommendations on the main steps in the choice of therapy in epilepsy. Possible drug interactions between different AEDs and other drugs as well as main characteristics of mono- and polytherapy of epilepsy are described. Some features of the use of AEDs in the elderly, characteristics of the "female" epilepsy related to the reproductive function and basic requirements for the therapy of epilepsy in children are presented.

[Algorithms of mono- and polytherapy in clinical epileptology]. / Algoritmy mono- i politerapii v klinicheskoi épileptologii. Chast' 2. Osobennosti lecheniia otdel'nykh grupp patsientov.

The large number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at the physician's disposal provides not only a broad therapeutic potential in the treatment of epilepsy (EP), but creates difficulties in the adequate choice of AED. The sufficient experience in the management of patients with epilepsy has been gained so far in the world, based on which the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), updated classification, adopted the basic definition of efficiency, remission, resistance, evidence of research on the effectiveness of AED therapy, and introduced the concept of "resolved" epilepsy. In this article, a group of Russian experts suggest recommendations on the main steps in the choice of therapy in epilepsy. Possible drug interactions between different AEDs and other drugs as well as main characteristics of mono- and polytherapy of epilepsy are described. Some features of the use of AEDs in the elderly, characteristics of the "female" epilepsy related to the reproductive function and basic requirements for the therapy of epilepsy in children are presented.

[Cases of non-standard approach to treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus].

Authors assume that super-refractoriness is probably characterized by the specific pathophysiological mechanisms of status epilepticus development and can't be treated using standard treatment schemes. By the example of two clinical cases, we have analyzed the efficacy of complex treatment of super-refractory nonconvulsive and myoclonic status using intravenous valproate, central anesthetics (thiopental sodium, propofol), levetiracetam and cortexin. Preliminary results suggest that cortexin and levetiracetam as add-on to standard treatment may be vitally important drugs for the patients.

[Algorithms of using valproic acid drugs in women].

Characteristics of using valproic acid drugs in women, from puberty to menopause period, are reviewed. Based on initial treatment efficacy, type of epileptic seizures and a form of epilepsy, the author emphasizes the practical use of valproates during pregnancy in dependence on the situation. Several scenarios of pregnancy course and possible treatment tactics are presented.

[Possibilities of using intravenous forms of antiepileptic drugs in epileptic seizures]. / Vozmozhnosti primeneniia vnutrivennykh form protivoépilepticheskikh preparatov pri épilepticheskikh pristupakh.

The literature data on using intravenous forms of AEDs that expand treatment possibilities for patients with epilepsy are presented. AEDs can be used in different situations, when patients are not able to take AEDs in per os. These situations can include seizure emergencies (recurrent seizures, clusters, status epilepticus), caused by disease decompensation; acute symptomatic seizures; perioperative preparation in the case of surgery; dysphagia; gastrointestinal problems; psychiatric disorders, and others. This article is based on a review of International and Russian expert consensus practice guidelines for management of clinical situations mentioned above. The authors present data on available Russian parenteral forms of drugs used today (valproats, levetiracetam, lacosamide, diazepam, midazolam, propofol, thiopental potassium). It has been concluded that an ideal intravenous AED should be highly effective, acts fast, has no severe adverse effects, has low drug-drug interactions, does not require frequent plasma concentration monitoring, and should be easily switched to a per os form without any additional titration. The importance of separate treatment approaches on different stages of medical help is emphasized. The choice of drug used can be influenced by a particular clinical situation, indications/contraindications, the recommended infusion speed, side effects, possible drug-drug interactions with other AEDs and other drugs used for the treatment of concomitant diseases, availability of a particular drug at the moment and the level of a physician's knowledge of usage of intravenous forms of AEDs.

[Electroencephalographic characteristics of the deja vu phenomenon].

Déjà vu (DV, from French "already seen") is an aberration of psychic activity associated with transitory erroneous perception of novel circumstances, objects, or people as already known. An aim of the study was to investigate EEG characteristics of DV in patients with epilepsy. We studied 166 people (63.2% women, mean age 25.17±9.19 years). The DV phenomenon was studied in patients (27 people) and in a control group (139 healthy people). Patients were interviewed for DV characteristics and underwent a long (12-16 h) ambulatory EEG-monitoring study. In EEG, DV episodes in patients began with polyspike activity in the right temporal lobe and, in some cases, ended with the slow-wave theta-delta activity in the right hemisphere.

[A pharmacoeconomical analysis of idiopathic epilepsy].

We have analyzed pharmacoeconomical indicators in the treatment of idiopathic (generalized and focal) epilepsy in children and adolescence in an ambulatory treatment/diagnostic center of a big industrial city. In the total structure, focal epilepsy made up 41.73% (255 patients, 128 boys (50.2%) and 128 girls (49.8%)). Generalized forms were diagnosed in 61.96% (n=158) and partial forms - in 37.6% (n=97%) patients. Minimal direct and indirect costs for one patient were calculated for patients in remission and did not depend on the form of epilepsy. The costs increased by a magnitude of two or more for treatment efficiency 50% and by 3 times for insufficient efficiency of treatment of different forms of epilepsy. In case of a loss of control of seizures, indirect costs exceeded the economy of direct costs. Adequate treatment of idiopathic epilepsy in children is economically profitable because it allows to improve quality of life of a child and maintain manpower resources in the nearest future.

Déjà vu phenomenon-related EEG pattern. Case report.

BACKGROUND: Déjà vu (DV, from French déjà vu - "already seen") is an aberration of psychic activity associated with transitory erroneous perception of novel circumstances, objects, or people as already known. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to record the EEG pattern of déjà vu. METHODS: The subjects participated in a survey concerning déjà vu characteristics and underwent ambulatory EEG monitoring (12-16 h). RESULTS: In patients with epilepsy, DV episodes began with polyspike activity in the right temporal lobe region and, in some cases, ended with slow-wave theta-delta activity over the right hemisphere. There were no epileptic discharges in healthy respondents during DV. CONCLUSION: Two types of déjà vu are suggested to exist: "pathological-epileptic" déjà vu, characteristic of patients with epilepsy and equivalent to an epileptic seizure, and "nonpathological-nonepileptic" déjà vu, which is characteristic of healthy people and psychological phenomenon.

[The "cost-benefit" analysis of new antiepileptic drugs].

The objective was to optimize the pharmaceutical treatment of epileptic patients and to evaluate the clinical-economical effectiveness of new antiepileptic drugs (AED)--levetiracetam, lamotrigine, topiramate and oxcarbazepine. The study included 134 patients with different types of seizures who received earlier antiepileptics with the addition of new AED as mono- or polytherapy. The cost of treatment and pharmacoeconomic "cost-benefit" index were calculated before and after the treatment optimization. After one year of the treatment with "news" AED, the decrease in seizure frequency was 75-92%. The "cost-benefit" ratio was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 2-3 times in all types of seizures despite the increase of direst costs of the treatment. The significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the cost of treatment of epilepsy was noted in all groups studied. In conclusion, the rational treatment using "new" AED allows to reduce both the total cost of treatment and ccost-benefits ratio.

[Peculiarities of epilepsy in women with menstrual dysfunction].

An aim of the study was to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in women of reproductive age with concomitant disturbances of menstrual cycle. One hundred and thirty-two women, aged from 18 to 35 years, were studied. Menstrual dysfunction was found in 47,7% (n = 63): oligomenorrhea--in 68,3% (n = 43), amenorrhea--in 9,5% (n = 6) and dysfunctional metrorrhagia--in 22,2% (n = 14). Based on the character of hormone and ovarian dysfunction, the following syndromes were singled out: polycystic ovaries--54% (n = 34), isolated hypoprogesteronemia--23,8% (n = 15), hypercorticism--14,3% (n = 9), hypogonadotropic hypogonadism--7,9% (n = 5). Different hormonally-active drugs that allowed to normalize the menstrual cycle were used, along with basic antiepileptic drugs, to treat these hormonal dysfunctions and improve the course of epilepsy.