
doi: 10.20344/amp.9679
pmid: 30387431
Introduction: Super-refractory status epilepticus is defined as status epilepticus that persists or recurs 24 hours after anaesthetic therapy onset or after its withdrawal. It is mostly found in intensive care units and carries high mortality but good long-term prognosis for those who survive. In contrast with the initial phases of status epilepticus, treatment lacks strong scientific evidence and is mostly derived from case reports or small case series.Objective: To propose a protocol for the treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus in level III intensive care units, focusing on the treatment strategies to control clinical and/or electroencephalographic epileptic activity.Material and Methods: Narrative review of the literature by PubMed search. Available evidence was discussed in consensus meetings by intensive care and neurology experts’ from a level III intensive care unit and one of the Portuguese reference centres for the treatment of refractory epilepsy, respectively.Results: Anaesthetics with the highest level of evidence are propofol, midazolam, thiopental and ketamine. These represent the basis of the treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus and should be used in combination with antiepileptic drugs. The level of evidence for the latter is lower, however, levetiracetam, topiramate, pregabalin, lacosamide, valproic acid, phenytoin and perampanel may be recommended. Alternative therapeutic strategies with very low level of evidence are recommended in cases of total absence of clinical response, such as magnesium sulphate, pyridoxine, ketogenic diet, therapeutic hypothermia and immunosupression.Conclusion: We propose a treatment protocol based on a sequential combination of anaesthetics, anti-epileptic drugs and alternative therapies. Strategies to evaluate treatment response and to wean drugs based on clinical results are also proposed.
Medicine (General), Drug Resistant Epilepsy, Consensus, Time Factors, Critical Care, R, Consensus Statements as Topic, R5-920, Status Epilepticus, Clinical Protocols, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Medicine, Humans, Review Literature
Medicine (General), Drug Resistant Epilepsy, Consensus, Time Factors, Critical Care, R, Consensus Statements as Topic, R5-920, Status Epilepticus, Clinical Protocols, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Medicine, Humans, Review Literature
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
