Propofol in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus.
OBJECTIVE
To study prospectively the effects of propofol anesthesia on seizure control, hemodynamics and course of intensive care in patients with refractory status epilepticus.


METHODS
Prospective observational study in the general intensive care unit in a tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
Ten patients with refractory status epilepticus.


METHODS
Patients received propofol anesthesia aiming to burst suppression EEG pattern for 12 h.


RESULTS
Dose of propofol, quality of burst suppression EEG, hemodynamics and the course of intensive care were recorded. Clinical and electrophysiological seizures terminated quickly, but maintaining burst suppression EEG pattern required incremental doses of propofol. Despite high doses of propofol, recovery from anesthesia was fast.


CONCLUSIONS
High doses of propofol are needed in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus. The maintenance of continuous-burst suppression is difficult, and vigilant titrating of dosage of propofol is necessary under continuous EEG monitoring.
Parviainen
Ilkka
I
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. ilkka.parviainen@kuh.fi
Uusaro
Ari
A
Kälviäinen
Reetta
R
Mervaala
Esa
E
Ruokonen
Esko
E
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015742:Propofol