The management of status epilepticus.
Status epilepticus is a major medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Status epilepticus is best defined as a continuous, generalized, convulsive seizure lasting > 5 min, or two or more seizures during which the patient does not return to baseline consciousness. Lorazepam in a dose of 0.1 mg/kg is the drug of first choice for terminating status epilepticus. Patients who continue to have clinical or EEG evidence of seizure activity after treatment with lorazepam should be considered to have refractory status epileptics and should be treated with a continuous infusion of propofol or midazolam. This article reviews current information regarding the management of status epilepticus in adults.
Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. maripe@ccm.upmc.edu
Paul E
PE
Marik
Joseph
J
Varon
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008874:Midazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008140:Lorazepam; D008874:Midazolam; D015742:Propofol