title: Neurocritical care: status epilepticus review.
abstract: Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening medical and neurologic emergency requiring prompt recognition and treatment. SE may be classified into convulsive and nonconvulsive, based on the presence of rhythmic jerking of the extremities. Refractory status epilepticus is defined as ongoing seizures failing to respond to first- and second-line anticonvulsant drug therapy and carries a high morbidity and mortality. Treatment efficacy, morbidity, and mortality are directly related to delays in starting therapy. Benzodiazepines are first-line therapy, usually followed by phenytoin/fosphenytoin. A low threshold should exist for obtaining an urgent electroencephalogram.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Milstein 8 Center Room 300, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Fawaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Mufti
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Milstein 8 Center Room 300, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address: jc1439@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Claassen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010672:Phenytoin; C043114:fosphenytoin
keywords: Continuous electroencephalogram monitoring; Convulsions; Intensive care unit; Nonconvulsive; Refractory status epilepticus; Status epilepticus; Treatment