Seizure resident survival guide

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vidit Bhargava, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

A seizure is a temporary un-synchronized electrical activity in the brain. It can manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, and various other psychic symptoms (such as déjà vu or jamais vu). Recurrent unprovoked seizure is termed as epilepsy.

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated. The causes by themselves are usually not life threatening.

Common Causes

Anatomic abnormalities such as Dandy-Walker Malforamtion etc.
  • Brain tumors, trauma
  • Intra-cranial infections

Management

AED Therapy

Seizure type 1st choice drug 2nd choice drug Adjunct therapy
Focal seizure Carbamazepine/lamotrigine Leviteracitam/Oxcarbazepine/Sodium valproate Carbamazepine/Clobazepam/Gabapentin/Lamotrigine/Leviteracitam/Oxcarbazepine/Sodium valproate/Topiramate
Generalized tonic clonic seizure Sodium valproate/Lamotrigine Carbamazepine/Oxcarbazepine Clobazepam/Lamotrigine/Leviteracitam/Sodium valproate/Topiramate
Absence seizure Ethosuximide/Sodium valproate Lamotrigine - alone or in combination with 1st choice drugs Don't use - Carbamazepine/Tiagabine/Gabapentin/Pregabalin/Phenytoin/Oxcarbazepine/Vigabatrin
Myoclonic seizure Sodium valproate Leviteracitam/Topiramate Leviteracitam/Sodium valproate/Topiramate. Avoid drugs as avoided in absence seizure
Idiopathic generalized epilepsy Sodium valproate Lamotrigine/Topiramate Lamotrigine/Leviteracitam/Sodium valproate/Topiramate
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Sodium valproate Lamotrigine/Leviteracitam/Topiramate Lamotrigine/Leviteracitam/Topiramate
Anti-epileptic Drug Avg. daily Dosage
Sodium valproate 750-2000 mg
Lamotrigine 50-400 mg
Phenytoin 300-400 mg
Carbamazepine 400-1200 mg
Ethosuximide 750-1250 mg
Leviteracitam 1000-1500 mg
Phenobarbital 60-150 mg
Gabapentin 900-2400 mg
Oxcarbazepine 600-1200 mg
Topiramate 50-400 mg
Tiagabine 4-48 mg

The Following dosages are based on JAMA 2004 article titled: The new antiepileptic drugs: clinical applications.[1]

Resolved Seizure Episode

If patient is not actively seizing at presentation/Once the seizure has resolved, progress to following algorithm.


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Characterize the symptoms:
❑ Aura: altered vision and/or hearing and/or
❑ Tonic phase with muscle spasms and/or
❑ Rapid jerky movement and/or
❑ Uprolling of eyes and/or
❑ Tounge bite and/or
❑ Incontinence
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Examine the patient

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consider alternative diagnosis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Order labs:
❑ Plasma electrolytes
❑ Random blood sugar(Urgent)
❑ Serum calcium
❑ Toxicology screen
❑ Antiepileptic drugs (AED) levels (if patient already on AED)
❑ BUN/Cr.

Order imaging studies:
❑ MRI/CT scan


Order EEG studies:
❑ 12 lead EEG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Begin treatment with AED if:
❑ There is a neurological deficit or
❑ EEG shows unequivocal epileptic activity or
❑ Risk of having another seizure unacceptable to pt./family or
❑ Brain imaging shows a structural abnormality
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Suspected epileptic seizure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diagnostic doubt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refer to specialist in 2 weeks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refer to specialist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diagnosis by specialist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uncertain
 
 
 
 
 
Epilepsy
 
 
 
 
Non-seizure disorder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further investigations
 
 
 
 
 
Classify & treat
 
 
 
 
Refer to psychologist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Do's

  • Consult specialist to make diagnosis, within 2 weeks of presentation.
  • Take a detailed history of events to determine if seizure has occured.
  • Arrange a follow up.
  • Repeated EEG's may be performed if diagnosis is unclear.
  • Consider sleep EEG/long term video or ambulatory EEG, if standard EEG hasn't contributed to diagnosis.
  • MRI is the imaging of choice in epilepsy esp when:
  • Epilepsy first seen in adulthood.
  • Focal Onset.
  • Seizures continuing despite first line therapy.

Best performed within 4 weeks.

  • Consider consulting cardiologist in cases of diagnostic uncertainty.
  • Refer for a neuropsychological evaluation if:
  • Associated educational or occupational difficulties.
  • MRI identified defects in areas important for cognition.
  • When pt. complains of cognitive decline.
  • Consider monotherapy with one of the 1st choice drugs, if unsuccessful try 2nd choice drugs and only then multi drug therapy.
  • Treatment with AED is usually considered after the second seizure.
  • Explain teratogenic risks associated with valproate when prescribing to women & girls.
  • Do refer to a tertiary care physician if 1st choice and 2nd choice drugs fail.

Dont's

  • Do not perform EEG in case of probable syncope because of possibility of false-positive result.
  • Do not exclude epilepsy without performing EEG, if other evidence suggest a diagnosis of non-epileptic event.
  • Do not make diagnosis with EEG alone.
  • Do not perform repeated EEG's if diagnosis is clear.
  • Do not forget to provide complete information about the condition and its prognosis.
  • Do not start multi drug therapy without consulting a specialist.
  • Do not stop the 1st AED abruptly, while switching to a different type.
  • Do not monitor blood AED levels routinely. Indications for measuring levels:
  • Non adherence.
  • Suspected toxicity.
  • Adjustment of phenytoin dose.
  • Management of drug interactions such as OCP's.
  • Specific conditions such as status epilepticus, organ failure etc.
  • If pt. is asymptomatic at 2 yrs treatment can be stopped, but do not stop abruptly, taper over 2-3 months.
  • Do not stop breast feeding in pregnant women.


References

  1. LaRoche, SM.; Helmers, SL. (2004). "The new antiepileptic drugs: clinical applications". JAMA. 291 (5): 615–20. doi:10.1001/jama.291.5.615. PMID 14762041. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)


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