Back to Basics
Gretchen Brophy, BCPS, PharmD, FCCP
Professor of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Sciences and Neurosurgery
Virginia Commonwealth University
Glen Allen, VA
Consultant - UCB, Chiesi, Ceribell, Marinus; Speakers Bureau - UCB
Erin Wieruszewski, BCCCP, PharmD
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota
No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose
Status epilepticus is a neurologic emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Aborting status epilepticus as quickly as possible is the mainstay of therapy, accomplished through rapid administration of first- and second-line agents. Unfortunately, up to 30% of patients in status epilepticus fail to respond to initial treatment and 15% continue to have seizures despite the use of three or more agents. These patients' condition is defined as refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Many of these patients progress to super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE). After treatment failure, practitioners are forced to implement alternative therapies, for which there is little guidance and a lack of clinical trial data. Management through a ketogenic diet has been tried, but there is a lack of clarity as to ideal candidates and successful techniques. This session aims to provide best practices for rapid administration of antiepileptic drugs, identify viable treatment options for RES and SRSE, and help attendees identify candidates for ketogenic diets.
Concurrent Session Faculty: Erin Wieruszewski, BCCCP, PharmD – Mayo Clinic