13 Prognostication in super refractory status epilepticus: Preliminary results from an international survey study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is associated with high mortality, often due to withdrawal of life sustaining therapy (WLST) based on perceived poor neurological prognosis. Factors influencing decision making are underreported and poorly understood. We surveyed clinicians who treat SRSE to identify factors that influence WLST. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Health care providers (HCP), including physicians, pharmacists, and advanced practice providers, who treat SRSE answered a 51-question survey on respondent demographics, institutional characteristics and SRSE management that was distributed though professional societies. Respondents described approaches to prognostication and rated the importance of clinical factors in the management of two hypothetical clinical cases followed by their prediction of recovery potential for the same two cases. Neurointensivists and other HCP responses were compared using descriptive statistics to differentiate group characteristics; a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Logistical regression models were employed to identify associations between clinician specific factors and prognostication. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: One-hundred and sixty-four respondents were included in the analysis. Compared to other HCPs (neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, other intensivists; n=122, 74%), neurointensivists (n=42, 26%) [Odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.68), p=.004)] were less likely to use prognostic severity scores and were less likely to prognosticate likelihood of good functional recovery (OR: 0.28 (95% CI: 0.13-0.62), p=.002) compared to non-neurointensivist HCPs, controlling for potential confounders including professional degree, years of experience, country of practice, and annual volume of SRSE cases. There was, however, significant overlap in factors deemed necessary for determining futility in care escalation. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Neurointensivists value similar clinical factors to other HCPs when evaluating medical futility in SRSE but are less likely to predict definitive outcomes. Pending final survey results, future studies aimed at understanding why neurointensivists may be less likely to decisively prognosticate (i.e. avoiding nihilism) in SRSE may be warranted.