Status epilepticus management

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SE Definition & Initial Care - The First 5 Minutes

  • Status Epilepticus (SE) Definition: Seizure lasting >5 minutes, OR ≥2 seizures in a row without regaining full consciousness between them.

  • Initial Management (Time: 0-5 min): Focus on ABCDEs.

    • Airway: Maintain patent airway; lateral position, suction as needed.
    • Breathing: Provide high-flow O₂; monitor respiratory effort.
    • Circulation: Secure IV/IO access; attach cardiac monitor.
    • Disability: Check blood glucose; assess GCS.
    • Exposure: Check temperature, look for injuries.

High-Yield: Always check capillary blood glucose immediately. Hypoglycemia is a critical, reversible cause of seizures and must be corrected promptly with IV Dextrose.

Pediatric Status Epilepticus Management Algorithm

First-Line Therapy - Benzo Blitz

  • Goal: Terminate seizure within 5 minutes.
  • Benzodiazepines are the cornerstone. Choice depends on IV access.

Exam Fact: Intranasal (IN) Midazolam is as effective as IV Diazepam for pre-hospital seizure termination and is often preferred over rectal diazepam for its social acceptability and rapid onset.

Second-Line Therapy - Beyond Benzos

Administer if seizures persist >10 minutes after initial benzodiazepine doses.

  • Choose ONE of the following (no evidence for superiority of one over another):
    • Fosphenytoin: 20 mg PE/kg (Max: 1500 mg PE). Water-soluble prodrug.
    • Phenytoin: 20 mg/kg (Max: 1500 mg). ⚠️ Slower infusion; risk of Purple Glove Syndrome.
    • Levetiracetam: 40-60 mg/kg (Max: 4500 mg). Favorable side-effect profile.
    • Valproate: 20-40 mg/kg (Max: 3000 mg). ⚠️ Avoid in <2 yrs & suspected metabolic disease.
    • Phenobarbital: 20 mg/kg (Max: 1500 mg). ⚠️ High risk of respiratory depression.

Fosphenytoin vs. Phenytoin: Fosphenytoin is preferred due to its lower risk of local tissue injury (e.g., Purple Glove Syndrome) and can be infused faster.

Purple Glove Syndrome from Phenytoin Infusion

Refractory SE - The ICU Phase

  • Defined as seizures unresponsive to 1st (BZD) & 2nd line (AED) agents. Requires ICU admission & continuous EEG monitoring.
  • Goal: Achieve clinical & electrographic seizure control (e.g., burst-suppression on EEG).
  • Initiate continuous IV anesthetic infusion. Common agents:
    • Midazolam: Load 0.2 mg/kg, then 1-10 mcg/kg/min infusion.
    • Propofol: Load 1-2 mg/kg, then 20-80 mcg/kg/min infusion. ⚠️ Risk of PRIS.
    • Thiopentone: Load 3-5 mg/kg, then 1-5 mg/kg/hr infusion. Causes significant hypotension.

Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS): Characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, arrhythmia, and renal failure. Avoid prolonged high-dose use, especially in young children.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Status epilepticus is a medical emergency; always secure ABCs first.
  • IV Lorazepam is the drug of choice. If no IV access, consider IM Midazolam, buccal Midazolam, or rectal Diazepam.
  • Always check capillary blood glucose immediately to rule out hypoglycemia.
  • Second-line agents include IV Phenytoin/Fosphenytoin, Valproate, or Levetiracetam.
  • Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) requires ICU care and continuous infusion of agents like Midazolam.
  • The goal is rapid seizure termination to prevent permanent neuronal damage.

Practice Questions: Status epilepticus management

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 10-year-old girl is brought to the emergency department by her mother 30 minutes after having had a seizure. When her mother woke her up that morning, the girl's entire body stiffened and she started shaking vigorously for several minutes. Her mother also reports that over the past few months, her daughter has had multiple episodes of being unresponsive for less than a minute, during which her eyelids were fluttering. The girl did not recall these episodes afterwards. Upon arrival, she appears drowsy. Neurologic examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy to prevent recurrence of this patient's symptoms?

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Flashcards: Status epilepticus management

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Patients with neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage can present with altered level of consciousness, _____ fontanelle, hypotension, seizures, and coma

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Patients with neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage can present with altered level of consciousness, _____ fontanelle, hypotension, seizures, and coma

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