title: Ketamine continuous infusion for refractory status epilepticus in a patient with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) requires aggressive management with multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) often requiring the initiation of continuous infusions of propofol, midazolam, or pentobarbital to achieve adequate control in addition to intermittent agents. Ketamine has been implicated in several case reports as a successful agent for treating RSE given that it blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, which is overexpressed in prolonged status epilepticus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a previously healthy 27-year-old woman who presented with prolonged RSE requiring the initiation of multiple AEDs, including high-dose propofol and midazolam continuous infusions. As a result of hypotension from propofol and inadequate seizure control with midazolam, the patient was successfully transitioned to a pentobarbital infusion in combination with multiple AEDs. Although the patient achieved control of her RSE, her course was complicated by the development of an anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) with transaminitis. Limited with the options of AED that could have been used, it was decided to initiate the patient on a continuous ketamine infusion plus midazolam and slowly wean the patient off pentobarbital as well as to avoid further use of phenytoin and phenobarbital.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient was successfully transitioned off pentobarbital to a ketamine infusion plus midazolam with complete seizure control after several dose escalations. Her AHS and transaminitis resolved on a ketamine infusion for a total of 12 days, and she was successfully discharged from the hospital after 60 days in the ICU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case report to describe a successful transition to a ketamine infusion in a patient with AHS and transaminitis.
authors.affiliation: New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esaian
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joset
authors.forename: Candace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lazarovits
authors.forename: Patricia C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dugan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fridman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063926:Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D007649:Ketamine; D008874:Midazolam
keywords: anticonvulsant hypersensitivity reaction; ketamine; pentobarbital; refractory status epilepticus