Alcohol-related seizures.
The term alcohol-related seizures (ARS) is used to refer to all seizures in the aggregate associated with alcohol use, including the subset of alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS). From 20% to 40% of patients with seizure who present to an emergency department have seizures related to alcohol abuse. However, it is critical to avoid prematurely labeling a seizure as being caused by alcohol withdrawal before performing a careful diagnostic evaluation. Benzodiazepines alone are sufficient to prevent AWS. The alcoholic patient with a documented history of ARS, who experiences a single seizure or a short burst of seizures should be treated with lorazepam, 2 mg intravenously.
Department of Emergency Services, The Medical Center, Columbus, GA, USA. David.McMicken@crhs.net
David
D
McMicken
Jonathan L
JL
Liss
D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000517:prevention & control; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines