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Updated: May 12, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus
Published on: April 5, 2011
Higher mortality rate is associated with advanced age and periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges in patients
Paulo Breno Noronha Liberalesso1, Eliana Garzon, Elza M T Yacubian
1Hospital São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo SP, Brazil. paulo.neuroped@gmail.com
Objective:
To evaluate clinical data, electroencephalogram, etiology, classification, treatment, morbidity, and mortality in acute refractory status epilepticus.
Methods:
Fifteen patients, mean age of 41.3 years-old, six males, with refractory status epilepticus, were retrospectively studied. All of them were followed by serial electroencephalogram or continuous electroencephalographic monitoring.
Results:
The most common comorbidity was hypertension. Seven (46.7%) patients were diagnosed with previous symptomatic focal epilepsy. More than one etiology was identified in 40.0% of the cases. Status epilepticus partial complex was the most common (n=14, 93.3%), and discrete seizures were the most observed initial ictal pattern. Continuous intravenous midazolam was used in nine (60.0%) patients and continuous thiopental in three (20.0%). Nine (60.0%) participants died, one (6.6%) had neurological sequelae, and five (33.3%) presented no neurological sequelae.
Conclusions:
Higher mortality rate was associated with advanced age and periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges. Midazolam proved to be a safe drug. The refractory status epilepticus is related to high mortality.
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