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Chapter 15 - Status Epilepticus in the Neurocritical Care Unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2019

By
Fawaz Al-Mufti  and
Jan Claassen
Edited by
Michel T. Torbey
Michel T. Torbey
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
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Summary

Status epilepticus (SE) is defined as continuous or repetitive seizure activity persisting for at least five minutes without recovery to baseline between attacks [1,2]. SE may be classified into convulsive and nonconvulsive, based on the presence of rhythmic jerking of the extremities. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as ongoing seizures failing to respond to first- and second-line anticonvulsant drug therapy. Among these patients, 10 to 15% [3] fail to respond to third-line therapy, and are considered to have super-refractory SE (SRSE) [4].

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Neurocritical Care , pp. 176 - 187
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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