ABSTRACT
Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency. The best possible outcome from this condition is achieved with early recognition of seizure and close adherence to a guideline to provide appropriate doses of recommended antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in an expedient manner. Although respiratory and cardiac functions must be supported, prevention of neuronal damage from SE requires the seizure to be stopped as soon as possible. A minority of patients will require continuous sedative infusion to halt their seizures. In patients without preexisting epilepsy, imaging and lumbar puncture (LP) results will help narrow the list of possible etiologies and guide therapeutic trials to achieve seizure control. Seizures occur because of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission that favors excitation. Most seizures are accompanied by a systemic catecholamine surge that leads to tachycardia, hypertension, elevated cerebral blood flow, and elevated cerebral perfusion pressure.
