Practice variations in the management of status epilepticus

Numerous anticonvulsant agents are now available for treating status epilepticus (SE). However, a paucity of data is available to guide clinicians in the initial treatment of seizures or SE. This study describes the current strategies being employed to treat SE in the U.S.A.

Fifteen American academic medical centers completed a retrospective, multicenter, observational study by reviewing 10-20 of the most recent cases of SE at their institution prior to December 31, 2009. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with cessation of seizures.

A total of 150 patients were included. Most patients with SE had a seizure disorder (58%). SE patients required a median of 3 AEDs for treatment. Three quarters of patients received a benzodiazepine as first-line therapy (74.7%). Phenytoin (33.3%) and levetiracetam (10%) were commonly used as the second AED. Continuous infusions of propofol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine were used in 36% of patients. Median time to resolution of SE was 1 day and was positively associated with presence of a complex partial seizure, AED non-compliance prior to admission, and lorazepam plus another AED as initial therapy. Prolonged ICU length of stay and topiramate therapy prior to admission were negatively associated with SE resolution. Mortality was higher in patients without a history of seizure (22.2 vs. 6.9%, p = 0.006).

The use of a benzodiazepine followed by an AED, such as phenytoin or levetiracetam, is common as first and second-line therapy for SE and appears to be associated with a shorter time to SE resolution. AED selection thereafter is highly variable. Patients without a history of seizure who develop SE had a higher mortality rate.