Treatment of Status Epilepticus

Abstract

Status epilepticus is a severe neurological disease associated with substantial mortality and health-care cost. Treatment of status epilepticus should proceed without delay even in the pre-hospital setting because prolonged generalized convulsive seizures may lead to neuronal injury, pharmacoresistance, and poor prognosis. These concepts have led to the establishment of an updated treatment algorithm emphasizing a more rapid escalation to third-line therapy for refractory convulsive status epilepticus. This article reviews the guidelines and current evidence for the management of status epilepticus.

Keywords

• Status epilepticus
• Anticonvulsants
• Benzodiazepines
• Anesthesia