Status epilepticus in stroke patients.
BACKGROUND
Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening condition that occurs in only 1.5% of the overall stroke population but in more than 10% of patients with stroke-related seizures. This retrospective study compares the characteristics of stroke patients with SE to those with ordinary seizures (OS).


METHODS
The demographic features, vascular risk factors, stroke type and etiology, stroke severity (according to the National Institute of Health Stroke scale) and disability (according to the modified Rankin scale), seizure type and onset, and post-ictal EEG findings were compared between 33 patients with SE and 288 with OS. SE was defined as a >30 min of either continuous seizure activity or multiple seizures without regaining consciousness.


RESULTS
Patients with SE had more severe strokes and a worse outcome. Demographic features and stroke etiology were similar in both groups. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was only observed as a risk factor in patients with OS. There was a non-statistical trend that SE occurred more frequently at stroke onset. Seizure recurrence was the same in both groups. Post-ictal EEG was always abnormal in the SE patients and normal in 30% of the OS group.


CONCLUSIONS
SE occurs mainly in patients with a severe stroke and with severe disability. Patients with a severe stroke are probably more at risk of early-onset SE.
De Reuck
J
J
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. dereuck.j@gmail.com
Van Maele
G
G
D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology