A comparison of four treatments for generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Veterans Affairs Status Epilepticus Cooperative Study Group

Improving epilepsy control among children with cerebral palsy in rural Bangladesh: a prospective cohort-based study

OBJECTIVE

To define the prevalence and seizure subtypes among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh and explore barriers to optimum epilepsy control.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in Shahjadpur, a rural subdistrict of Bangladesh.

PARTICIPANTS

Children (<18 years) with CP and epilepsy identified using the Bangladesh CP Register (BCPR) in the study site.

METHODS

Assessments were conducted in three focused epilepsy clinics overseen by a paediatric neurologist between December 2016 and January 2018, with intervening phone and video-conference follow-ups. Details of event type, frequency and medication compliance were collected. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were prescribed based on seizure type, family income, comorbidity and medication availability.

RESULTS

23.4% (170/726) of the BCPR cohort had a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy of whom 166 were assessed. Following the focused epilepsy clinics, 62.0% (103/166) children were clinically determined to have ongoing epileptic seizures. 62.1% (64/103) had generalised onset tonic clonic seizures, 27.2% (28/103) had focal onset seizures with impaired awareness and 10.7% (11/103) had other seizure types. None of the children with prolonged seizures (31/103) had an emergency seizure management plan. Non-epileptic events were being pharmacologically treated as seizures in 18.1% (30/166) children. Financial constraints were the main reason for non-compliance on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Gaps in optimum epilepsy management in rural Bangladesh are amenable to improvement anchored with local healthcare workers. Training and clinical care focused on recognition of common seizure types, seizure mimics and rationalising use of available AEDs can be facilitated by better referral pathways and telehealth support.

Pre-hospital and emergency department treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in adults: an evidence synthesis

BACKGROUND

Convulsive status epilepticus is defined as ≥ 5 minutes of either continuous seizure activity or repetitive seizures without regaining consciousness. It is regarded as an emergency condition that requires prompt treatment to avoid hospitalisation and to reduce morbidity and mortality. Rapid pre-hospital first-line treatment of convulsive status epilepticus is currently benzodiazepines, administered either by trained caregivers in the community (e.g. buccal midazolam, rectal diazepam) or by trained health professionals via intramuscular or intravenous routes (e.g. midazolam, lorazepam). There is a lack of clarity about the optimal treatment for convulsive status epilepticus in the pre-hospital setting.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the current evidence on the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for adults with convulsive status epilepticus in the pre-hospital setting.

DATA SOURCES

We searched major electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo®, CINAHL, CENTRAL, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Health Technology Assessment Database, Research Papers in Economics, and the ISPOR Scientific Presentations Database, with no restrictions on publication date or language of publication. Final searches were carried out on 21 July 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials assessing adults with convulsive status epilepticus who received treatment before or on arrival at the emergency department. Eligible treatments were any antiepileptic drugs offered as first-line treatments, regardless of their route of administration. Primary outcomes were seizure cessation, seizure recurrence and adverse events. Two reviewers independently screened all citations identified by the search strategy, retrieved full-text articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included trials. Results were described narratively.

RESULTS

Four trials (1345 randomised participants, of whom 1234 were adults) assessed the intravenous or intramuscular use of benzodiazepines or other antiepileptic drugs for the pre-hospital treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in adults. Three trials at a low risk of bias showed that benzodiazepines were effective in stopping seizures. In particular, intramuscular midazolam was non-inferior to intravenous lorazepam. The addition of levetiracetam to clonazepam did not show clear advantages over clonazepam alone. One trial at a high risk of bias showed that phenobarbital plus optional phenytoin was more effective in terminating seizures than diazepam plus phenytoin. The median time to seizure cessation from drug administration varied from 1.6 minutes to 15 minutes. The proportion of people with recurrence of seizures ranged from 10.4% to 19.1% in two trials reporting this outcome. Across trials, the rates of respiratory depression among participants receiving active treatments were generally low (from 6.4% to 10.6%). The mortality rate ranged from 2% to 7.6% in active treatment groups and from 6.2% to 15.5% in control groups. Only one study based on retrospective observational data met the criteria for economic evaluation; therefore, it was not possible to draw any robust conclusions on cost-effectiveness.

LIMITATIONS

The limited number of identified trials and their differences in terms of treatment comparisons and outcomes hindered any meaningful pooling of data. None of the included trials was conducted in the UK and none assessed the use of buccal midazolam or rectal diazepam. The review of economic evaluations was hampered by lack of suitable data.

CONCLUSIONS

Both intravenous lorazepam and intravenous diazepam administered by paramedics are more effective than a placebo in the treatments of adults with convulsive status epilepticus, and intramuscular midazolam is non-inferior to intravenous lorazepam. Large well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish which benzodiazepines are more effective and preferable in the pre-hospital setting.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020201953.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Evidence Synthesis programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 20. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Multicentre observational status-epilepticus registry: protocol for ICTAL

INTRODUCTION

Status epilepticus (SE) is a common life-threatening neurological emergency that can cause long-term impairments. Overall outcomes remain poor. Major efforts are required to clarify the epidemiology of SE and the determinants of outcomes, thereby identifying targets for improved management.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

ICTAL Registry is a multicentre open cohort of critically ill patients with convulsive, non-convulsive or psychogenic non-epileptic SE. Observational methods are applied to collect uniform data. The goal of the ICTAL Registry is to collect high-quality information on a large number of patients, thereby allowing elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in mortality and morbidity. The registry structure is modular, with a large core data set and the opportunity for research teams to create satellite data sets for observational or interventional studies (eg, cohort multiple randomised controlled trials, cross-sectional studies and short-term and long-term longitudinal outcome studies). The availability of core data will hasten patient recruitment to studies, while also decreasing costs. Importantly, the vast amount of data from a large number of patients will allow valid subgroup analyses, which are expected to identify patient populations requiring specific treatment strategies. The results of the studies will have a broad spectrum of application, particularly given the multidisciplinary approach used by the IctalGroup research network.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The ICTAL Registry protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the French Intensive Care Society (#CE_SRLF 19-68 and 19-68a). Patients or their relatives/proxies received written information to the use of the retrospectively collected and pseudonymised data, in compliance with French law. Prospectively included patients receive written consent form as soon as they recover decision-making competency; if they refuse consent, they are excluded from the registry. Data from the registry will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03457831.

Intravenous and Intramuscular Allopregnanolone for Early Treatment of Status Epilepticus: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety in Dogs

Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a neurosteroid that modulates synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. We hypothesize that ALLO may be useful as first-line treatment of status epilepticus (SE). Our objectives were to (1) characterize ALLO pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics PK-PD after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration and (2) compare IV and IM ALLO safety and tolerability. Three healthy dogs and two with a history of epilepsy were used. Single ALLO IV doses ranging from 1-6 mg/kg were infused over 5 minutes or injected IM. Blood samples, vital signs, and sedation assessment were collected up to 8 hours postdose. Intracranial EEG (iEEG) was continuously recorded in one dog. IV ALLO exhibited dose-proportional increases in exposure, which were associated with an increase in absolute power spectral density in all iEEG frequency bands. This relationship was best described by an indirect link PK-PD model where concentration-response was described by a sigmoidal maximum response (Emax) equation. Adverse events included site injection pain with higher IM volumes and ataxia and sedation associated with higher doses. IM administration exhibited incomplete absorption and volume-dependent bioavailability. Robust iEEG changes after IM administration were not observed. Based on PK-PD simulations, a 2 mg/kg dose infused over 5 minutes is predicted to achieve plasma concentrations above the EC50, but below those associated with heavy sedation. This study demonstrates that ALLO is safe and well tolerated when administered at 1-4 mg/kg IV and up to 2 mg/kg IM. The rapid onset of effect after IV infusion suggests that ALLO may be useful in the early treatment of SE. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The characterization of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of allopregnanolone is essential in order to design clinical studies evaluating its effectiveness as an early treatment for status epilepticus in dogs and people. This study has proposed a target dose/therapeutic range for a clinical trial in canine status epilepticus.

Management of Status Epilepticus and Indications for Inpatient Electroencephalography Monitoring

Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurologic emergency requiring immediate time-sensitive treatment to minimize neuronal injury and systemic complications. Minimizing time to administration of first- and second-line therapy is necessary to optimize the chances of successful seizure termination in generalized convulsive SE (GCSE). The approach to refractory and superrefractory GCSE is less well defined. Multiple agents with differing complementary actions that facilitate seizure termination are recommended. Nonconvulsive SE (NCSE) has a wide range of presentations and approaches to treatment. Continuous electroencephalography is critical to the management of both GCSE and NCSE, while its use for patients without seizure continues to expand.

Phenytoin versus other antiepileptic drugs as treatments for status epilepticus in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life‐threatening neurological emergency. There is insufficient evidence regarding which antiepileptic therapy is most effective in patients with benzodiazepine‐refractory convulsive SE. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate intravenous phenytoin (PHT) and other intravenous antiepileptic medications for SE.

Methods

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi for published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans up to August 2019. We compared outcomes between intravenous PHT and other intravenous medications. The important primary composite outcomes were the successful clinical cessation of seizures, mortality, and neurological outcomes at discharge. The reliability of the level of evidence for each outcome was compared using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results

A total of 1,103 studies were identified from the databases, and 10 RCTs were included in the analysis. The ratio of successful clinical seizure cessation was significantly lower (risk ratio [RR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–0.97) for patients treated with intravenous PHT than with other medications. When we compared mortality and neurological outcomes at discharge, we observed no significant differences between patients treated with PHT and those treated with other medications. The RRs were 1.07 (95% CI, 0.55–2.08) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.72–1.15) for mortality and neurological outcomes at discharge, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings showed that intravenous PHT was significantly inferior to other medications in terms of the cessation of seizures. No significant differences were observed in mortality or neurological outcomes between PHT and other medications.

Benzodiazepines in the Management of Seizures and Status Epilepticus: A Review of Routes of Delivery, Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy, and Tolerability

Status epilepticus (SE) is an acute, life-threatening medical condition that requires immediate, effective therapy. Therefore, the acute care of prolonged seizures and SE is a constant challenge for healthcare professionals, in both the pre-hospital and the in-hospital settings. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the first-line treatment for SE worldwide due to their efficacy, tolerability, and rapid onset of action. Although all BZDs act as allosteric modulators at the inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor, the individual agents have different efficacy profiles and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, some of which differ significantly. The conventional BZDs clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam and midazolam differ mainly in their durations of action and available routes of administration. In addition to the common intravenous, intramuscular and rectal administrations that have long been established in the acute treatment of SE, other administration routes for BZDs-such as intranasal administration-have been developed in recent years, with some preparations already commercially available. Most recently, the intrapulmonary administration of BZDs via an inhaler has been investigated. This narrative review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the efficacy and tolerability of different BZDs, with a focus on different routes of administration and therapeutic specificities for different patient groups, and offers an outlook on potential future drug developments for the treatment of prolonged seizures and SE.

Pre-hospital benzodiazepines associated with improved outcomes in out-of-hospital status epilepticus: A 10-year retrospective cohort study

Outcomes of status epilepticus have not substantially changed over the last decade. Given onset is most often in the community, early termination strategies that are implementable outside of hospitals are of public health importance. This 10-year retrospective single-centre cohort study aimed to determine whether pre-hospital benzodiazepine administration is associated with improved health outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital onset status epilepticus.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted with status epilepticus between 2008 and 2018 at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. Data regarding onset setting, medical history, management and outcomes were extracted.

RESULTS

72 patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified. Onset of status epilepticus was out-of-hospital for 74% (53/72) of patients, 66% (35/53) of whom were administered a benzodiazepine before reaching hospital, most often by ambulance officers (30/35, 86%). Pre-hospital benzodiazepine administration was associated with a 90% reduction in duration time to seizure cessation (0.65 vs 5.8 days, p = 0.012) and 50% reduction in length of hospital stay (7.6 vs 15.8 days, p = 0.045). In-hospital onset status epilepticus was associated with higher mortality than out-of-hospital onset (26% vs 4%, RR 6.5, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Pre-hospital benzodiazepines shorten the time to seizure control and length of hospital stay in patients with out-of-hospital status epilepticus, although is under-utilised by both ambulance staff and home carers. Health policy measures to improve ambulance officer and home carer administration skills and confidence may address these issues.

A critical review of fosphenytoin sodium injection for the treatment of status epilepticus in adults and children

INTRODUCTION

Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency that can occur in patients with or without epilepsy. Rapid treatment is paramount to mitigate risks of neuronal injury, morbidity/mortality, and healthcare-cost burdens associated with SE. Fosphenytoin is the prodrug of phenytoin designed to enable faster administration and improved tolerability as compared to intravenous (IV) phenytoin in the treatment of SE.

AREAS COVERED

This review evaluates the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability of fosphenytoin. Efficacy data for fosphenytoin in the treatment of SE in adults and children are analyzed from initial phase I trials in 1988 through current phase III trials, including the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT).

EXPERT OPINION

IV phenytoin is an established treatment of SE, but its alkaline aqueous vehicle is associated with dermatologic irritation and systemic complications when rapidly infused. The water-soluble nature of its prodrug, fosphenytoin, allows for rapid infusion, and it is rapidly converted to phenytoin when administered intravenously or intramuscularly. In the ESETT, IV fosphenytoin demonstrated similar efficacy in treatment of established SE when compared to IV levetiracetam and IV valproate in adults and children, making it a reasonable choice in the treatment of SE that is unresponsive to benzodiazepines.

Diazepam Monotherapy or Diazepam-Ketamine Dual Therapy at Different Time Points Terminates Seizures and Reduces Mortality in a Status Epilepticus Animal Model

BACKGROUND Being refractory to drugs remains an urgent treatment problem in status epilepticus (SE). The fact that γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs) become internalized and inactive, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) become externalized and active during SE may explain the refractoriness to benzodiazepine. However, the real-time dynamic efficacy of antiepileptic drugs remains unclear. Therefore, we propose a hypothesis that diazepam monotherapy or diazepam-ketamine dual therapy could terminate seizures and reduce mortality in the SE model at different time points during ongoing SE. MATERIAL AND METHODS An SE model was established in adult Sprague-Dawley rats with lithium and pilocarpine. The GABAAR agonist diazepam was injected at 5, 10, 20, or 30 min when SE continued. In addition, diazepam and the NMDAR antagonist ketamine were injected at 10 to 60 min at 6 different time points. We measured seizure-free rates, seizure duration, degree of behavioral seizure, and mortality. RESULTS Diazepam monotherapy at 5 min and 10 min from the beginning of SE was able to terminate seizures and improved survival rates. Diazepam-ketamine dual therapy at 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min from the beginning of SE terminated seizures and achieved high survival rates. CONCLUSIONS In this parallel randomized controlled trial with a rat model, we found that diazepam monotherapy was an effective antiepileptic strategy at the early stage of SE less than 10 min after SE onset. If SE lasts more than 10 min but less than 30 min, the diazepam-ketamine dual therapy strategy may be an appropriate choice.

Global transgenic upregulation of KCC2 confers enhanced diazepam efficacy in treating sustained seizures

Reduced anticonvulsant efficacy of benzodiazepines is a problem in the treatment of status epilepticus, with up to 50% of patients failing to respond to their first dose. KCC2 is a neuronal K⁺ -Cl^- co-transporter that helps set and maintain intracellular Cl^- concentrations. KCC2 functional downregulation is a potential contributor to benzodiazepine resistance. We tested this idea using male and female doxycycline-inducible, conditional transgenic mice to increase the functional expression of KCC2 in pyramidal neurons. We administered mice with two doses of the chemoconvulsant kainic acid (5 mg/kg, i.p.) 60 min apart and quantified the resultant seizures with electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Overexpression of KCC2 prior to the chemoconvulsant challenge did not affect seizure latency or other measures of seizure severity, but it did increase diazepam's efficacy in stopping EEG seizures. Spike rate, time in seizure, and EEG spectral power following diazepam (5 mg/kg, i.p) were all significantly lower in KCC2 overexpression mice as compared to control mice. Our results indicate that, in the context of benzodiazepine resistance during sustained seizures, addressing impaired Cl^- homeostasis alone appreciably improves the efficacy of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition. We therefore suggest the simultaneous targeting of KCC2 and GABA_A receptors as a pathway for improving current anticonvulsant therapeutic strategies.

Continuous seizure emergency evoked in mice with pharmacological, electrographic, and pathological features distinct from status epilepticus

OBJECTIVES

Benzodiazepines are the standard of care for the management of sustained seizure emergencies, including status epilepticus (SE) and seizure clusters. Seizure clusters are a variably defined seizure emergency wherein a patient has multiple seizures above a baseline rate, with intervening periods of recovery, distinguishing clusters from SE. Although these seizure emergencies are phenotypically distinct, the precise pathophysiological and mechanistic differences between SE and seizure clusters are understudied. Emergency-specific preclinical models may differentiate the behavioral and pathological mechanisms that are acutely associated with seizure emergencies and seizure termination to better manage these events.

METHODS

Herein we characterize a novel model of sustained seizure emergency induced in CF-1 mice through the combined administration of high-dose phenytoin (PHT; 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 100 mg/kg, s.c.).

RESULTS

We presently describe a mouse model of sustained seizure emergency that is pathologically, pharmacologically, and behaviorally distinct from SE. Acute administration of PHT 1 h prior to PTZ led to significantly more mice with unremitting continuous seizure activity (CSA; 73.4%) vs vehicle-pretreated mice (13.8%; p < .0001). CSA was sensitive to lorazepam and valproic acid when administered at seizure onset and 30 minutes later. Carbamazepine worsened seizure control and post-CSA survival. Mice in CSA exhibited electroencephalography (EEG) patterns distinct from kainic acid-induced SE and PTZ alone, clearly differentiating CSA from SE and PTZ-induced myoclonic seizures. Neuropathological assessment by Fluoro-Jade C staining of brains collected 24 h post-CSA revealed no neurodegeneration in any mouse that underwent CSA, whereas there was widespread neuronal death in brains from KA-SE mice. Finally, immunohistochemistry revealed acute seizure-induced astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acid protein; GFAP) in hippocampal structures, whereas hippocampal neuronal nuclei (NeuN) protein expression was only reduced in KA-SE mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

We present a novel mouse model on which to further elucidate the mechanistic differences between sustained seizure emergencies (ie, SE and seizure clusters) to improve clinical interventions and define mechanisms of seizure termination.

Diagnosis and Management of Status Epilepticus

Seizures are among the most common neurological presentations to the emergency room. They present on a spectrum of severity from isolated new-onset seizures to acute repetitive seizures and, in severe cases, status epilepticus. The latter is the most serious, as it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and treatment of both seizure activity and associated acute systemic complications are essential to improve the overall outcome of these patients. The purpose of this review is to provide the current viewpoint on the diagnostic evaluation and pharmacological management of patients presenting with status epilepticus, and the common associated systemic complications.

Seizures, Status Epilepticus, and Continuous EEG in the Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article discusses the evolving definitions of seizures and status epilepticus in the critical care environment and the role of critical care EEG in both diagnosing seizure activity and serving as a predictive biomarker of clinical trajectory.

RECENT FINDINGS

Initial screening EEG has been validated as a tool to predict which patients are at risk of future seizures. However, accepted definitions of seizures and nonconvulsive status epilepticus encourage a treatment trial when the diagnosis on EEG is indeterminate because of periodic or rhythmic patterns or uncertain clinical correlation. Similarly, recent data have demonstrated the diagnostic utility of intracranial EEG in increasing the yield of seizure detection. EEG has additionally been validated as a diagnostic biomarker of covert consciousness, a predictive biomarker of cerebral ischemia and impending neurologic deterioration, and a prognostic biomarker of coma recovery and status epilepticus resolution. A recent randomized trial concluded that patients allocated to continuous EEG had no difference in mortality than those undergoing intermittent EEG but could not demonstrate whether this lack of difference was because of studying heterogeneous conditions, examining a monitoring tool rather than a therapeutic approach, or examining an outcome measure (mortality) perhaps more strongly associated with early withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy than to a sustained response to pharmacotherapy.

SUMMARY

Seizures and status epilepticus are events of synchronous hypermetabolic activity that are either discrete and intermittent or, alternatively, continuous. Seizures and status epilepticus represent the far end of a continuum of ictal-interictal patterns that include lateralized rhythmic delta activity and periodic discharges, which not only predict future seizures but may be further classified as status epilepticus on the basis of intracranial EEG monitoring or a diagnostic trial of antiseizure medication therapy. In particularly challenging cases, neuroimaging or multimodality neuromonitoring may be a useful adjunct documenting metabolic crisis. Specialized uses of EEG as a prognostic biomarker have emerged in traumatic brain injury for predicting language function and covert consciousness, cardiac arrest for predicting coma recovery, and subarachnoid hemorrhage for predicting neurologic deterioration due to delayed cerebral ischemia.

Phenobarbital versus valproate for generalized convulsive status epilepticus in adults (2): A multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial in China (China 2-P vs. V)

OBJECTIVE

A multicenter study of phenobarbital versus valproate (i.e., the China 2-P vs. V study) was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of phenobarbital and valproate for generalized convulsive status epilepticus (SE) in a multicenter trial design.

METHODS

Three improvements (uniform intravenous pumping, pump speed adjustment according to adverse events and blood drug level monitoring) over a previous study were made regarding an intravenous regimen of phenobarbital and valproate in a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study. Long-term electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring was performed after initial drug treatment. Termination, relapse, adverse event and poor prognosis rates in patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) were compared.

RESULTS

The rate of GCSE termination within one hour were significantly higher in the phenobarbital group (33 cases) than in the valproate group (36 cases) (84.8 % vs. 63.9 %, P = 0.048), but the rates of nontermination of EEG epileptic discharge within one hour were similar between the two groups (12.1 % vs. 8.3 %, P = 0.702). The relapse and adverse event rates were not significantly different between groups, but 3 hypoventilation events and 1 hypotension event occurred in the phenobarbital group compared to 0 in the valproate group. There were no cases of epileptiform EEG discharge relapse in the phenobarbital group, compared to 1 case in the valproate group.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenobarbital regimen evaluated in this study has a higher GCSE termination rate than the valproate regimen, indicating that the former is suitable for countries, regions and individuals with limited access to new antiepileptic drugs or limited economic means.

Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam versus (fos)phenytoin for second-line treatment of epilepticus: a meta-analysis of latest randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficiency and safety profiles of levetiracetam and (fos)phenytoin (phenytoin or fosphenytoin) for second-line treatment of seizures by performing a meta-analysis of RCTs.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, FDA.gov, and ClinicalTrials.gov for RCTs (published before July 31, 2020; no language restrictions). Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and titles against inclusion and exclusion criteria published previously in the PROSPERO: CRD42020202736. Eleven studies fulfilled the established criteria. We assessed pooled data by using a random-effects model. Quality analysis was performed by using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2). RevMan v.5.3 was used to perform statistical analyses, and publication bias (egger's test) was assessed with Stata MP v.14.0.

RESULTS

Levetiracetam was similar to (fos)phenytoin in seizure termination rate (risk ratio [RR] 0.94; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.01), time of seizure termination (mean difference [MD] 0.44; -0.60 to 1.49), and drug resistance ([RR] 1.12, 0.86 to 1.45). The safety outcome showed a significant statistical difference between fosphenytoin group and levetiracetam group ([RR] 1.44, 1.14 to 1.81), while there was no significant difference observed between phenytoin treatment and levetiracetam treatment ([RR] 1.26, 0.99 to 1.60).

CONCLUSION

Levetiracetam was similar to (fos)phenytoin in cessation rate convulsive status epilepticus, and drug resistance, while it was superior (fos)phenytoin in pooled safety outcome. Further exploration is still needed as to whether it is the first choice for second-line drugs.

Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: Prognosis and Recent Advances in Management

Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is a life-threatening neurological emergency with high morbidity and mortality. It is defined as “status epilepticus (SE) that continues or recurs 24 hours or more after the onset of anesthesia, including those cases in which SE recurs on the reduction or withdrawal of anesthesia.” This condition is resistant to normal protocols used in the treatment of status epilepticus and exposes patients to increased risks of neuronal death, neuronal injury, and disruption of neuronal networks if not treated in a timely manner. It is mainly seen in patients with severe acute onset brain injury or presentation of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). The mortality, neurological deficits, and functional impairments are significant depending on the duration of status epilepticus and the resultant brain damage. Research is underway to find the cure for this devastating neurological condition. In this review, we will discuss the wide range of therapies used in the management of SRSE, provide suggestions regarding its treatment, and comment on future directions. The therapies evaluated include traditional and alternative anesthetic agents with antiepileptic agents. The other emerging therapies include hypothermia, steroids, immunosuppressive agents, electrical and magnetic stimulation therapies, emergent respective epilepsy surgery, the ketogenic diet, pyridoxine infusion, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and magnesium infusion. To date, there is a lack of robust published data regarding the safety and effectiveness of various therapies, and there continues to be a need for large randomized multicenter trials comparing newer therapies to treat this refractory condition.

Efficacy of Home Anticonvulsant Administration for Second-Line Status Epilepticus Treatment

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether receiving a second-line anticonvulsant medication that is part of a patient's home regimen influences outcomes in benzodiazepine-refractory convulsive status epilepticus.

METHODS

Using the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial data, allocation to a study drug included in the patient's home anticonvulsant medication regimen was compared to receipt of an alternative second-line study medication. The primary outcome was cessation of clinical seizures with improved consciousness by 60 minutes after study drug initiation. Secondary outcomes were seizure cessation adjudicated from medical records and adverse events. We performed inverse probability of treatment-weighted (IPTW) logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Of 462 patients, 232 (50%) were taking 1-2 of the 3 study medications at home. The primary outcome was observed in 39/89 (44%) patients allocated to their home medication vs 76/143 (53%) allocated to a nonhome medication (IPTW odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-1.14). The adjudicated outcome occurred in 37/89 (42%) patients vs 82/143 (57%), respectively (IPTW OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30-0.89). There was no interaction between study levetiracetam and home levetiracetam and there were no differences in adverse events.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in the primary outcome for patients who received a home medication vs nonhome medication. However, the retrospective evaluation suggested an association between receiving a nonhome medication and seizure cessation.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with refractory convulsive status epilepticus, use of a home second-line anticonvulsant compared to a nonhome anticonvulsant did not significantly affect the probability of stopping seizures.

Pick Your Poison but Pick It Wisely: Choosing a Second-Line Medication for the Management of Status Epilepticus

[Box: see text]

Levetiracetam versus fosphenytoin as a second-line treatment after diazepam for status epilepticus: study protocol for a multicenter non-inferiority designed randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency condition for which rapid and secured cessation is important. Phenytoin and fosphenytoin, the prodrug of phenytoin with less severe adverse effects, have been recommended as second-line treatments. However, fosphenytoin causes severe adverse events, such as hypotension and arrhythmia. Levetiracetam reportedly has similar efficacy and higher safety for SE; however, evidence to support its use for adult SE is lacking. In the present study, a non-inferiority designed multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted to compare levetiracetam with fosphenytoin after diazepam as a second-line treatment for SE.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, and open-label RCT is conducted in emergency departments. Between December 23, 2019, and March 31, 2023, 176 patients with convulsive SE transported to an emergency room will be randomized into a fosphenytoin group and levetiracetam group at a ratio of 1:1. The definition of SE is "continuous seizures longer than 5 min or discrete seizures longer than 2 min with intervening consciousness disturbance." In both groups, diazepam is initially administered at 1-20 mg, followed by intravenous fosphenytoin at 22.5 mg/kg or intravenous levetiracetam at 1000-3000 mg. The primary outcome is the seizure cessation rate within 30 min. Seizure recurrence within 24 h, severe adverse events, and intubation rate within 24 h are secondary outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The present study was approved and conducted as an initiative study of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. If non-inferiority is identified, the society will pursue an application for the national health insurance coverage of levetiracetam for SE via a public knowledge-based application.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs031190160 . Registered on December 13, 2019.

Blood concentration of levetiracetam after bolus administration in patients with status epilepticus

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of levetiracetam (LEV), as a second-line drug, in patients with status epilepticus (SE) in an emergency clinical setting.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 20 consecutive patients with SE admitted to our department between July 2017 and July 2019. LEV (2500 mg) was administered via bolus infusion after diazepam infusion, followed by 500 mg every 12 h for 48 h and then 500 mg orally. The primary outcomes were LEV blood concentration 15 min, 12 h, 48 h, and 96 h after administration and the proportion of patients showing trough LEV concentration within the therapeutic range. The secondary outcomes were the discontinuation of apparent convulsive seizure, epileptic wave on electroencephalogram, tracheal intubation, adverse events related to blood parameters, and abnormal findings in vital signs examination.

RESULTS

Median blood LEV (2500 mg) concentration at 15 min after administration was 81.6 μg/mL. The median trough concentration after 12, 48, and 96 h was 28.8, 10.5, and 9.1 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, 95% of patients had trough concentration above the lower limit of the therapeutic blood concentration (>12 μg/mL) after 12 h. Regarding secondary outcomes, endotracheal intubation, seizure suppression, and abnormal electroencephalogram findings were observed in approximately 40%, 90%-95%, and 41% of patients, respectively. No abnormal findings were noted in blood tests and vital sign examination, although the AST/ALT levels increased in 10% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

After bolus administration of 2500 mg, the blood LEV concentration reached the therapeutic window in patients with early-stage SE.

Time Is Brain: Acute Control of Repetitive Seizures and Status Epilepticus Using Alternative Routes of Administration of Benzodiazepines

Time plays a major role in seizure evaluation and treatment. Acute repetitive seizures and status epilepticus are medical emergencies that require immediate assessment and treatment for optimal therapeutic response. Benzodiazepines are considered the first-line agent for rapid seizure control. Thus, various routes of administration of benzodiazepines have been studied to facilitate a quick, effective, and easy therapy administration. Choosing the right agent may vary based on the drug and route properties, patient’s environment, caregiver’s skills, and drug accessibility. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of benzodiazepines are essential in the decision-making process. Ultimately, agents and routes that give the highest bioavailability, fastest absorption, and a modest duration are preferred. In the outpatient setting, intranasal and buccal routes appear to be equally effective and more rapidly administered than rectal diazepam. On the other hand, in the inpatient setting, if available, the IV route is ideal for benzodiazepine administration to avoid any potential absorption delay. In this article, we will provide an overview and comparison of the various routes of benzodiazepine administration for acute control of repetitive seizures and status epilepticus.

Implications of initiating antiseizure drugs prior to the performance of EEG in first epileptic seizures

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to determine whether the administration of antiepileptic drugs (AED) alters the likelihood of detecting epileptiform abnormalities in electroencephalographies (EEG) performed early after a first epileptic seizure.

METHOD

We performed a retrospective, observational study including patients with a first seizure attended at our centre's emergency department between July 2014 and November 2019. We collected clinical data, as well as technical data on the acquisition and interpretation of the EEG performed within the first 72hours after the seizure, and the factors related with seizure recurrence.

RESULTS

We recruited 155 patients with a mean (SD) age of 48.6 (22.5) years; 61.3% were men. Regarding seizure type, 51% presented tonic-clonic seizures of unknown onset and 12% presented focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Thirty-nine patients (25.2%) received AED treatment before the EEG was performed: 33 received a non-benzodiazepine AED and 6 received a benzodiazepine. Epileptiform abnormalities were observed in 29.7% of patients. Previous administration of AEDs was not significantly associated with the probability of detecting interictal epileptiform abnormalities (P=.25) or with the risk of recurrence within 6 months (P=.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of AEDs before an early EEG following a first seizure does not decrease the likelihood of detecting epileptiform abnormalities. These findings suggest that starting AED treatment immediately in patients with a high risk of early recurrence does not imply a reduction in the diagnostic accuracy of the test.

Pharmacotherapy for Nonconvulsive Seizures and Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus

Most seizures in critically ill patients are nonconvulsive. A significant number of neurological and medical conditions can be complicated by nonconvulsive seizures (NCSs) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), with brain infections, hemorrhages, global hypoxia, sepsis, and recent neurosurgery being the most prominent etiologies. Prolonged NCSs and NCSE can lead to adverse neurological outcomes. Early recognition requires a high degree of suspicion and rapid and appropriate duration of continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring. Although high quality research evaluating treatment with antiseizure medications and long-term outcome is still lacking, it is probable that expeditious pharmacological management of NCSs and NCSE may prevent refractoriness and further neurological injury. There is limited evidence on pharmacotherapy for NCSs and NCSE, although a few clinical trials encompassing both convulsive and NCSE have demonstrated similar efficacy of different intravenous (IV) antiseizure medications (ASMs), including levetiracetam, valproate, lacosamide and fosphenytoin. The choice of specific ASMs lies on tolerability and safety since critically ill patients frequently have impaired renal and/or hepatic function as well as hematological/hemodynamic lability. Treatment frequently requires more than one ASM and occasionally escalation to IV anesthetic drugs. When multiple ASMs are required, combining different mechanisms of action should be considered. There are several enteral ASMs that could be used when IV ASM options have been exhausted. Refractory NCSE is not uncommon, and its treatment requires a very judicious selection of ASMs aiming at reducing seizure burden along with management of the underlying condition.

Neuro-Oncologic Emergencies

Cancer and cancer therapies have the potential to affect the nervous system in a host of different ways. Cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, cerebrovascular events, status epilepticus, and epidural spinal cord compression are among those most often presenting as emergencies. Neurologic side-effects of cancer therapies are often mild, but occasionally result in serious illness. Immunotherapies cause autoimmune-related neurologic side-effects that are generally responsive to immunosuppressive therapies. Emergency management of neuro-oncologic problems benefits from early identification and close collaboration among interdisciplinary team members and patients or surrogate decision-makers.

Refractory and Super-refractory Status Epilepticus

Context

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) are neurological emergencies with considerable mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we provide an overview of causes, evaluation, treatment, and consequences of RSE and SRSE, reflecting the lack of high-quality evidence to inform therapeutic approach.

Sources

This is a narrative review based on personal practice and experience. Nevertheless, we searched MEDLINE (using PubMed and OvidSP vendors) and Cochrane central register of controlled trials, using appropriate keywords to incorporate recent evidence.

Results

Refractory status epilepticus is commonly defined as an acute convulsive seizure that fails to respond to two or more anti-seizure medications including at least one nonbenzodiazepine drug. Super-refractory status epilepticus is a status epilepticus that continues for ≥24 hours despite anesthetic treatment, or recurs on an attempted wean of the anesthetic regimen. Both can occur in patients known to have epilepsy or de novo, with increasing recognition of autoimmune and genetic causes. Electroencephalography monitoring is essential to monitor treatment response in refractory/super-refractory status epilepticus, and to diagnose non-convulsive status epilepticus. The mainstay of treatment for these disorders includes anesthetic infusions, primarily midazolam, ketamine, and pentobarbital. Dietary, immunological, and surgical treatments are viable in selected patients. Management is challenging due to multiple acute complications and long-term adverse consequences.

Conclusions

We have provided a synopsis of best practices for diagnosis and management of refractory/superrefractory status epilepticus and highlighted the lack of sufficient high-quality evidence to drive decision making, ending with a brief foray into avenues for future research.

Advances in the management of generalized convulsive status epilepticus: what have we learned?

Convulsive status epilepticus is the most serious manifestation of an epileptic diathesis. In the early stages (5-30 min), there exists class A evidence to support the efficacy of benzodiazepines as first-line treatment. As status epilepticus progresses into the later stages, the evidence for treatment becomes less robust until we are depending upon short case series and case reports for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. However, the past year saw the publication of three randomized controlled trials in the setting of benzodiazepine-resistant established convulsive status epilepticus: the EcLiPSE and ConSEPT studies, compared levetiracetam to phenytoin in children; and the ESETT study compared fosphenytoin, levetiracetam and sodium valproate in adults and children. In addition, the emergence of data from the SENSE study, a multicentre multinational prospective cohort study and the publication of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the mortality of status epilepticus over the past 30 years, has brought the treatment of status epilepticus into sharp focus. In this update we provide a detailed analysis of these studies and their impact on clinical practice. We review contentious areas of management in status epilepticus where a consensus is lacking and advance the case for more research on existing and alternative treatment strategies.

[S2k guidelines: status epilepticus in adulthood : Guidelines of the German Society for Neurology]

This S2k guideline on diagnosis and treatment of status epilepticus (SE) in adults is based on the last published version from 2021. New definitions and evidence were included in the guideline and the clinical pathway. A seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes (or ≥ 2 seizures over more than 5 mins without intermittend recovery to the preictal neurological state. Initial diagnosis should include a cCT or, if possible, an MRI. The EEG is highly relevant for diagnosis and treatment-monitoring of non-convulsive SE and for the exclusion or diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. As the increasing evidence supports the relevance of inflammatory comorbidities (e.g. pneumonia) related clinical chemistry should be obtained and repeated over the course of a SE treatment, and antibiotic therapy initiated if indicated.Treatment is applied on four levels: 1. Initial SE: An adequate dose of benzodiazepine is given i.v., i.m., or i.n.; 2. Benzodiazepine-refractory SE: I.v. drugs of 1st choice are levetiracetam or valproate; 3. Refractory SE (RSE) or 4. Super-refractory SE (SRSE): I.v. propofol or midazolam alone or in combination or thiopental in anaesthetic doses are given. In focal non-convulsive RSE the induction of a therapeutic coma depends on the circumstances and is not mandatory. In SRSE the ketogenic diet should be given. I.v. ketamine or inhalative isoflorane can be considered. In selected cased electroconvulsive therapy or, if a resectable epileptogenic zone can be defined epilepsy surgery can be applied. I.v. allopregnanolone or systemic hypothermia should not be used.

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE)

New-onset refractory status epilepticus and its subcategory febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome are rare devastating clinical presentations in those without pre-existing relevant history, often in schoolchildren or young adults, without a clear cause on initial investigations. A cause is later identified in up to half of adults, but in many fewer children. Patients often require protracted intensive care and are at significant risk of dying. Functional disability is common and subsequent chronic epilepsy is the norm, but some people do have good outcomes, even after prolonged status epilepticus. Patients need prompt investigations and treatment. Anaesthetic and antiseizure medications are supplemented by other treatment modalities, including the ketogenic diet. Despite limited evidence, it is appropriate to try to modify the presumed underlying pathogenesis with immune modulation early, with a more recent focus on using interleukin inhibitors. Optimising management will require concerted multicentre international efforts.

Treatment of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-induced seizures with polytherapy targeting GABA and glutamate receptors

The initiation and maintenance of cholinergic-induced status epilepticus (SE) are associated with decreased synaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAAR) and increased N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) and amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPAR). We hypothesized that trafficking of synaptic GABAAR and glutamate receptors is maladaptive and contributes to the pharmacoresistance to antiseizure drugs; targeting these components should ameliorate the pathophysiological consequences of refractory SE (RSE). We review studies of rodent models of cholinergic-induced SE, in which we used a benzodiazepine allosteric GABAAR modulator to correct loss of inhibition, concurrent with the NMDA antagonist ketamine to reduce excitation caused by increased synaptic localization of NMDAR and AMPAR, which are NMDAR-dependent. Models included lithium/pilocarpine-induced SE in rats and soman-induced SE in rats and in Es1-/- mice, which similar to humans lack plasma carboxylesterase, and may better model soman toxicity. These model human soman toxicity and are refractory to benzodiazepines administered at 40 min after seizure onset, when enough synaptic GABAAR may not be available to restore inhibition. Ketamine-midazolam combination reduces seizure severity, epileptogenesis, performance deficits and neuropathology following cholinergic-induced SE. Supplementing that treatment with valproate, which targets a non-benzodiazepine site, effectively terminates RSE, providing further benefit against cholinergic-induced SE. The therapeutic index of drug combinations is also reviewed and we show the improved efficacy of simultaneous administration of midazolam, ketamine and valproate compared to sequential drug administration. These data suggest that future clinical trials should treat both the lack of sufficient inhibition and the excess excitation that characterize RSE, and include early combination drug therapies. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: From Bench to Bedside to Battlefield'.

Valproic Acid as an Adjuvant Treatment for Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus in Adults Admitted to Intensive Care Units: Protocol for a Double-Blind, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a frequent medical emergency. GCSE treatment focuses on the administration of benzodiazepines followed by a second-line antiepileptic drug (AED). Despite this stepwise strategy, GCSE is not controlled in one-quarter of patients and is associated with protracted hospitalization, high mortality, and long-term disability. Valproic acid (VPA) is an AED with good tolerability and neuroprotective properties.

Objective

This study aims to demonstrate that administration of VPA as an adjuvant for first- and second-line treatment in GCSE can improve outcomes.

Methods

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted, comparing VPA with a placebo in adults admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) for GCSE in France. GCSE was diagnosed by specifically trained ICU physicians according to standard criteria. All patients received standard of care, including a benzodiazepine and a second-line AED (not VPA), at the discretion of the treating medical team. In the intervention arm, VPA was administered intravenously at a loading dose of 30 mg/kg over 15 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 1 mg/kg/hour over the next 12 hours. In the placebo group, an identical intravenous administration of 0.9% saline was used. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients discharged alive from the hospital by day 15. Secondary outcomes were frequency of refractory and super refractory GCSE, ICU-related morbidity, adverse events related to VPA, and cognitive dysfunction at 3 months. Statistical analyses will be performed according to the intent-to-treat principle.

Results

The first patient was randomized on February 18, 2013, and the last patient was randomized on July 7, 2018. Of 248 planned patients, 98.7% (245/248) were enrolled across 20 ICUs. At present, data management is still ongoing, and all parties involved in the trial remain blinded.

Conclusions

The Valproic Acid as an Adjuvant Treatment for Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus (VALSE) trial will evaluate whether the use of VPA as an adjuvant for first- and second-line treatment in GCSE improves outcomes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01791868; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01791868.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/22511

Factors associated with resistance to benzodiazepines in status epilepticus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors related to benzodiazepine (BZD) resistance in status epilepticus (SE) with a focus on their relationship with the etiology of the episode.

METHODS

All SE cases in patients aged >16 years treated with BZDs were prospectively collected in our center from February 2011 to April 2019. The registry included demographics, SE type and etiology, the timing and duration of BZD administration, and the outcome. In total, 371 episodes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Median age at SE onset was 61.3 years; the most frequent etiology was acute symptomatic (55.8%). SE with prominent motor symptoms occurred in 63.3%. Median time to BZD administration was 2 h. We studied the correlation between two-time variables: time from SE onset to BZD administration and time from BZD administration to resolution of SE (response); we observed that timely administration correlated with a faster response in patients with prominent motor symptoms (p = 0.017), SE due to a chronic structural cerebral lesion (p = 0.004), and patients with a history of seizures (p = 0.013). In these subgroups (prominent motor symptoms or chronic structural lesion) BZD administration within the first 4.5 h was highly associated with shorter post-BZD SE duration (p < 0.001).

SIGNIFICANCE

The relationship between prompt BZD administration and subsequent duration of SE was found to depend to some extent on the etiology of the episode: patients with chronic structural lesions and those with previous epilepsy responded faster to BZDs. Semiology may have also its impact, as the presence of prominent motor symptoms showed also a faster response.

Assessment of benzodiazepine dosing strategies for the management of status epilepticus in the emergency department

PURPOSE

Although guidelines recommend specific benzodiazepine doses for the treatment of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE), underdosing appears to be common. The purpose of this investigation was to assess benzodiazepine dosing strategies for the initial management of GCSE in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of adult patients who received benzodiazepines in the ED for treatment of GCSE. Characteristics of those achieving seizure cessation following initial benzodiazepine therapy were assessed.

RESULTS

222 patients presented to the ED and received 403 doses of benzodiazepines, of which 1.5% conformed with recommendations. First-line therapy was successful in 86.8% of patients with an average dose of 1.6 mg (0.02 mg/kg). No difference in dosing was noted between those experiencing early cessation and those that did not (p = 0.132). Patients experiencing early cessation were significantly less likely to receive further doses, be intubated, or be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Those that received early antiepileptic drug therapy were significantly less likely to receive additional benzodiazepine doses, be intubated, or be admitted to the ICU or hospital (p < 0.05 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

According to guideline recommendations, there was consistent underdosing of benzodiazepines noted in both prehospital and ED settings. Early seizure cessation and the early receipt of an antiepileptic drug were found to be associated with multiple significant clinical outcomes. Future investigations should explore optimal dosing strategies for benzodiazepines as well as the impact of early antiepileptic drug administration.

Update on the management of status epilepticus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Randomized controlled trials investigating the initial pharmacological treatment of status epilepticus have been recently published. Furthermore, status epilepticus arising in comatose survivors after cardiac arrest has received increasing attention in the last years. This review offers an updated assessment of status epilepticus treatment in these different scenarios.

RECENT FINDINGS

Initial benzodiazepines underdosing is common and correlates with development of status epilepticus refractoriness. The recently published ESETT trial provides high-level evidence regarding the equivalence of fosphenytoin, valproate, and levetiracetam as a second-line option. Myoclonus or epileptiform transients on electroencephalography occur in up to 1/3 of patients surviving a cardiac arrest. Contrary to previous assumptions regarding an almost invariable association with death, at least 1/10 of them may awaken with reasonably good prognosis, if treated. Multimodal prognostication including clinical examination, EEG, somatosensory evoked potentials, biochemical markers, and neuroimaging help identifying patients with a chance to recover consciousness, in whom a trial with antimyoclonic compounds and at times general anesthetics is indicated.

SUMMARY

There is a continuous, albeit relatively slow progress in knowledge regarding different aspect of status epilepticus; recent findings refine some treatment strategies and help improving patients' outcomes. Further high-quality studies are clearly needed to further improve the management of these patients, especially those with severe, refractory status epilepticus forms.

Treatments for Convulsive and Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in Adults: An Expert Opinion Survey in South Korea

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to survey the expert opinions on treatments for convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in adults.

METHODS

Forty-two South Korean epileptologists participated in this survey. They completed an online questionnaire regarding various patient scenarios and evaluated the appropriateness of medications used to treat CSE and NCSE.

RESULTS

Initial treatment with a benzodiazepine (BZD) followed by either a second BZD or an antiepileptic drug (AED) monotherapy was the preferred treatment strategy. More than two-thirds of the experts used a second BZD when the first one failed, and consensus was reached for 84.8% of the survey items. The preferred BZD was intravenous (IV) lorazepam for the initial treatment of status epilepticus. IV fosphenytoin and IV levetiracetam were chosen for AED monotherapy after the failure of BZD. The treatments for NCSE were similar to those for CSE. Continuous IV midazolam infusion was the treatment of choice for iatrogenic coma in refractory CSE, but other AEDs were preferred over iatrogenic coma in refractory NCSE.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this survey are consistent with previous guidelines, and can be cautiously applied in clinical practice when treating patients with CSE or NCSE.

Antiepileptic Drug Therapy for Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most serious neurologic emergencies. SE is a condition that encompasses a broad range of semiologic subtypes and heterogeneous etiologies. The treatment of SE primarily involves the management of the underlying etiology and the use of antiepileptic drug therapy to rapidly terminate seizure activities. The Drug Committee of the Korean Epilepsy Society performed a review of existing guidelines and literature with the aim of providing practical recommendations for antiepileptic drug therapy. This article is one of a series of review articles by the Drug Committee and it summarizes staged antiepileptic drug therapy for SE. While evidence of good quality supports the use of benzodiazepines as the first-line treatment of SE, such evidence informing the administration of second- or third-line treatments is lacking; hence, the recommendations presented herein concerning the treatment of established and refractory SE are based on case series and expert opinions. The choice of antiepileptic drugs in each stage should consider the characteristics and circumstances of each patient, as well as their estimated benefit and risk to them. In tandem with the antiepileptic drug therapy, careful searching for and treatment of the underlying etiology are required.

Etiology, Risk Factors, Mortality and Morbidity of Status Epilepticus in Children: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study in Tehran, Iran

Background:

Risk factors identification associated with status epilepticus is valuable in order to prevent morbidity and mortality in children. This study aimed to consider the etiology, risk factors, morbidity and mortality in children with status epilepticus.

Methods:

This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 119 patients aged from one month old to 15 years old. Patients’ data were recorded, including basic demographic, etiology and clinical information. The different risk factors correlated to morbidity and mortality were evaluated in this study.

Results:

The most common etiologies were acute symptomatic and febrile status epilepticus by 32.8% and 22.7%, respectively. Abnormal brain imaging results were reported far more frequently in patients with a history of neurodevelopmental delay and previous status epilepticus (p<0.001). The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 18.9% and 10.9%, respectively; while these rates in patients with delayed development (45.16% and 18.42%, respectively) were significantly higher than patients with normal development (8% and 7.4%, respectively). The morbidity rates in patients with previous seizures and previous status epilepticus were remarkably higher than those without previous history of seizure (26.41% vs 11.32%; p=0.047) and without previous status epilepticus (36.36%versus14.28%; p=0.018). The length of hospital stay in patients with mortality was considerably longer than patients without mortality (12.30 ± 16.1 days vs 7.29 ± 6.24 days; p=0.033). The mortality rate in patients with normal Lumbar Puncture result was notably lower than those with abnormal LP result (2.9% vs 50%). The morbidity rate in patients with abnormal brain imaging results (p<0.001) was significantly greater than those in patients with normal results. The mortality rate was relatively higher in patients with abnormal imaging results compared to those normal results. Etiology was an important predictor of mortality and morbidity rates; acute symptomatic (32.8%), febrile status epilepticus (22.7%) and remote symptomatic (16.8%) etiologies were the most common underlying causes of S.E. While in children less than 3 years old, the acute symptomatic etiology and febrile status epilepticus etiologies were estimated as the most common, in most patients older than 3 years old the most common etiology of status epilepticus was unknown. Congenital brain defects etiology had the highest mortality (36.36%) and morbidity (42.85%) rate. The lowest morbidity (3.84%) and mortality (0%) rates were for patients with febrile status epilepticus etiology.

Conclusion:

Age, developmental delay, history of previous status epilepticus, the length of hospital stay, abnormal brain imaging results and the underlying etiology of status epilepticus were associated with increased morbidity and mortality among children with status epilepticus.

Treatment of established status epilepticus in the elderly - a study protocol for a prospective multicenter double-blind comparative effectiveness trial (ToSEE)

BACKGROUND

Status epilepticus (SE) is a common neurological emergency condition that especially affects the elderly and old population. Older people with SE frequently have non-convulsive SE (NCSE) and are also at special risk of suffering a poor outcome. The application of benzodiazepines fails to control SE in about one third of the cases. For benzodiazepine refractory SE (BRSE) in elderly, there is little evidence that would justify the choice of one of the commonly used antiepileptic drugs. The present study aims to generate evidence for the treatment of BRSE in this age group.

METHODS

We will conduct a prospective, randomized, double-blind comparative effectiveness study in more than twenty hospitals in Germany over a four-year period. Four hundred and seventy-seven elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) diagnosed with BRSE will be allocated by 1:1 randomization to receive either levetiracetam or valproate. All types of SE will be considered. For the diagnosis NCSE a verification by EEG is required. Levetiracetam or valproate will be administered in one single infusion. The primary endpoint is the stable cessation of ictal activity 15 min after the start of infusion persisting for the following 45 min of observation. EEG recording is maintained over the whole observation period, clinical examinations are conducted in predefined intervals. In case of treatment success patients and study staff remain blinded until 60 min after the start of the infusion. Adverse events will be recorded until the end of the study. EEG data will be reviewed by two external independent experts. To obtain data about the further treatment of SE, intrahospital complications and the functional outcome in the short term the study participants will be observed until the day of discharge or day 30 whichever is earliest.

DISCUSSION

ToSEE is the first study which shall deliver evidence for the SE-therapy in the elderly and old population in a controlled prospective comparator study. By design it also shall collect information about therapy regimes and outcome aspects of this disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial has been registered at the German Clinical Trials Register on 3 July, 2020 ( DRKS00022308 ,  https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022308 ).

Levetiracetam versus Phenytoin for the Pharmacotherapy of Benzodiazepine-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of levetiracetam for treating benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus (SE) compared with phenytoin. Therefore, a meta-analysis was carried out to assess the value of levetiracetam versus phenytoin in the pharmacotherapy of benzodiazepine-refractory SE.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam and phenytoin in the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory SE.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that had been conducted to evaluate levetiracetam versus phenytoin for benzodiazepine-refractory SE, to April 2020. The data were assessed using Review Manager 5.3 software. The risk ratio (RR) was analyzed using dichotomous outcomes, and calculated using a random-effect model.

RESULTS

We pooled 1850 patients from 12 RCTs. Patients in the levetiracetam group had a significantly higher rate of clinical seizure cessation than in the phenytoin group (75.2% vs. 67.8%; RR 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.25, p = 0.003). Moreover, less adverse events were observed in the levetiracetam group than in the phenytoin group (17.8% vs. 21.4%; RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.97, p = 0.02). In subgroup analysis, clinical seizure cessation was achieved more frequently with a higher dose of levetiracetam (> 30 mg/kg) [RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.32, p = 0.05]. Furthermore, in the subgroup of children, levetiracetam showed a higher rate of clinical seizure cessation than phenytoin (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Pharmacotherapy for BZD-refractory SE by LEV is superior to PHT in efficacy and safety outcomes.

Status Epilepticus: Work-Up and Management in Adults

Status epilepticus is one of the most common neurological emergencies and is likely to have increasing prevalence in coming years given an aging "baby boomer" population in the United States. Because status epilepticus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, identification and treatment are paramount. Care should be taken to exclude nonorganic mimics and infectious and metabolic causes. Status epilepticus can be classified into stages with associated recommendations for escalation in therapy, increasing from push-dose benzodiazepines to continuous anesthetic infusions and other nontraditional therapies. Concurrent electroencephalogram monitoring helps to identify, localize, and assess resolution of ictal patterns alongside antiseizure drug administration. A protocol is proposed for the management of status epilepticus in a step-wise fashion.

Electroencephalogram Monitoring in Critical Care

Seizures are common in critically ill patients. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a tool that enables clinicians to provide continuous brain monitoring and to guide treatment decisions-brain telemetry. EEG monitoring has particular utility in the intensive care unit as most seizures in this setting are nonconvulsive. Despite the increased use of EEG monitoring in the critical care unit, it remains underutilized. In this review, we summarize the utility of EEG and different EEG modalities to monitor patients in the critical care setting.

Principles of Pharmacotherapy of Seizures and Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency with an outcome that is highly associated with the initial pharmacotherapy management that must be administered in a timely fashion. Beyond first-line therapy of status epilepticus, treatment is not guided by robust evidence. Optimal pharmacotherapy selection for individual patients is essential in the management of seizures and status epilepticus with careful evaluation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors. With the addition of newer antiseizure agents to the market, understanding their role in the management of status epilepticus is critical. Etiology-guided therapy should be considered in certain patients with drug-induced seizures, alcohol withdrawal, or autoimmune encephalitis. Some patient populations warrant special consideration, such as pediatric, pregnant, elderly, and the critically ill. Seizure prophylaxis is indicated in select patients with acute neurological injury and should be limited to the acute postinjury period.

Status Epilepticus-Work-Up and Management in Children

Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common neurological emergencies in children and has a mortality of 2 to 4%. Admissions for SE are very resource-consuming, especially in refractory and super-refractory SE. An increasing understanding of the pathophysiology of SE leaves room for improving SE treatment protocols, including medication choice and timing. Selecting the most efficacious medications and giving them in a timely manner may improve outcomes. Benzodiazepines are commonly used as first line and they can be used in the prehospital setting, where most SE episodes begin. The diagnostic work-up should start simultaneously to initial treatment, or as soon as possible, to detect potentially treatable causes of SE. Although most etiologies are recognized after the first evaluation, the detection of more unusual causes may become challenging in selected cases. SE is a life-threatening medical emergency in which prompt and efficacious treatment may improve outcomes. We provide a summary of existing evidence to guide clinical decisions regarding the work-up and treatment of SE in pediatric patients.

Acute Provoked Seizures-Work-Up and Management in Adults

Acute provoked seizures, also known as acute symptomatic seizures, occur secondary to a neurological or systemic precipitant, commonly presenting as a first-time seizure. In this article, we will discuss etiology, emergent protocols, medical work-up, initial treatment, and management of these seizures. The definitions, classifications, and management of convulsive status epilepticus and nonconvulsive status epilepticus in an acute setting will also be reviewed.