3.4.2 - Seizures and Status Epilepticus

Summary

Key Learning Points

1. 1. Over a lifetime, many people will suffer seizures, but only a small proportion of these develop into epilepsy.

2. 2. Acute symptomatic seizures may be classified into those with a primary cerebral cause and those of a secondary cause, e.g. drug intoxication or hypoglycaemia.

3. 3. If seizures are prolonged, they may become resistant to pharmacological control and mortality is high. Early termination of seizures is thus a priority.

4. 4. A stepwise approach to seizure management is recommended until electrographic seizures are stopped.

5. 5. Critical care treatment and monitoring should be started in conjunction with initial therapy. It should then be continued until therapy is considered successful or futile.