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Semin Neurol 2016; 36(06): 550-559
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1592357
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Status Epilepticus in the Intensive Care Unit

Adriana Bermeo-Ovalle
1   Division of Electroencephalography, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
,
Thomas Bleck
2   Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, Anesthesiology, and Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
01 December 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Status epilepticus (SE) is a common neurologic emergency and a frequent reason for admission to the intensive care unit. During the last decade, the advent and availability of diagnostic tools for the recognition of nonconvulsive SE has highlighted an even higher incidence of this condition among the critically ill. New alternatives in treatment have also become available within recent years. The recommendation of early escalation toward the use of general anesthetics in the treatment of convulsive SE follows the theory that the duration of the event defines the aggressiveness of the condition and the potential for long-term neuronal injury. Whether these new diagnostic and treatment tools are applicable to all patients with SE; and how they impact functional outcome and mortality, remain active subjects of clinical research.

Keywords

status epilepticus - intensive care unit - continuous electroencephalogram - antiepileptic drugs - treatment - prognosis
 

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