Levetiracetam use in critically ill patients.
BACKGROUND
Levetiracetam (LEV) is used in the setting of acute brain injury for seizure treatment or prophylaxis but its safety and efficacy in this setting is unknown.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the patterns of use and safety/efficacy of LEV in 379 patients treated in the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU). We extracted from the charts clinical data including diagnosis, AED therapy before and during stay in the NSICU, complications of treatment, length of stay, and clinical outcomes (improvement, Glasgow Coma Scale, and death). We analyzed the data using binary and ordered (multi-category) logistic regression.


RESULTS
Overall, our findings are that phenytoin used prior to the NSICU admission was frequently replaced with LEV monotherapy (P < 0.001). Patients treated with LEV monotherapy when compared to other AEDs had lower complication rates and shorter NSICU stays. Older patients and patients with brain tumors or strokes were preferentially treated with LEV for prevention and/or management of seizures (all P < or = 0.014).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that LEV is a frequently used AED in the setting of acute brain injury and that it may be a desirable alternative to phenytoin. Prospective studies evaluating the long-term safety, efficacy and outcomes of LEV in this setting are indicated.
Szaflarski
Jerzy P
JP
Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, MSB Rm. 4506, ML 0525, 231 Albert B. Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0525, USA. Jerzy.Szaflarski@uc.edu
Meckler
Jason M
JM
Szaflarski
Magdalena
M
Shutter
Lori A
LA
Privitera
Michael D
MD
Yates
Stephen L
SL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D015897:Comorbidity; D016638:Critical Illness; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam