Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus …

Epilepsy & Seizures

Updated 04.29.2024
Released 09.29.1994
Expires For CME 04.29.2027

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus

Authors: Shahram Izadyar MD, Robert L Beach MD PhD

See Contributor Disclosures

Editor: Jerome Engel Jr MD PhD

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus

In This Article

Quick Link

Introduction

Overview

Status epilepticus is a serious medical condition with an annual incidence estimated at 18 to 41 per 100,000 cases in the United States and a relatively high mortality. Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus is the most life-threatening form of status epilepticus. Increased awareness of this condition and the evolving treatment paradigms is essential in the management of patients with this condition. This article discusses the definition, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and current management of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. A literature review of the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of acute status epilepticus and refractory status epilepticus is also provided.

Key points

	• Intravenous antiseizure medications have more clearly defined roles in the treatment of status epilepticus.
	• Autoimmune causes of status epilepticus are increasingly recognized and may direct treatment.
	• Research indicates changes in synaptic properties, including internalization of receptors, play roles in the pathophysiology of status epilepticus that may complicate treatment of refractory status epilepticus.
	• Continuous video-EEG monitoring is essential in management, diagnosis, and treatment of refractory status epilepticus.

Historical note and terminology

The first description of what we recognize today as generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) goes back to the first millennium B.C. in Babylonian cuneiform stone tablets (52). Louis Calmeil, in his doctoral thesis for University of Paris, was the first who used the term “état de mal" (“state of disease”) in medical literature to describe status epilepticus and mentioned that the term was in fact in common usage by patients at the Salpêtrière hospital in Paris (05). In his work he first pointed out the distinctive characteristic of status epilepticus in that there is no recovery of consciousness between the seizures as opposed to a cluster of seizures when consciousness is regained in between. In addition, he noticed the severe and often fatal outcome of this condition. Subsequently, further advancement in characterization, description, and treatment of this condition was made by other physicians in 19th and early 20th century, such as Désiré-Magloire Bourneville (1840-1909), Armand Trousseau (1801-1867), Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893), William Gowers (1845-1915), L Pierce Clark (1870-1933), and Thomas Prout (1862-1939). With the introduction of EEG to clinical practice, major advances in the understanding of status epilepticus were made in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1962, at the 10th European electroencephalography meeting in Marseilles led by Gastaut, status epilepticus was proposed to be defined as “a seizure [that] persists for a sufficient length of time, or is repeated frequently enough to produce a fixed and enduring epileptic condition” (15). The definition was broad and nonspecific and could include the full spectrum of seizure types. As International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of seizure types emerged, parallels between classification of status epilepticus and this new seizure classification were drawn. In a 1981 revision, the ILAE defined status epilepticus as “a seizure [that] persists for a sufficient length of time or is repeated frequently enough that recovery between attacks does not occur”. In the subsequent 20 years, new definitions included specific and minimum amount of time as a criterion for status epilepticus, ranging between 30 to 60 minutes, mostly based on some animal models that showed neuronal injury in prolonged seizures.

In 1999, Lowenstein and colleagues suggested an operational definition of status epilepticus to prompt the start of management of this condition well in advance of reaching the 30 minutes or longer duration suggested in its definition (30). They suggested that generalized convulsive status epilepticus be defined as a continuous seizure longer than 5 minutes or two or more discreate seizures with incomplete recovery of consciousness in between. This operational definition was widely adopted. These recommendations were mostly based on the data that observed seizures longer than 5 minutes are less likely to cease on their own or longer seizures are more likely to become resistant to medications.

In 2015, an ILAE task force proposed a conceptual definition of status epilepticus as follows: “Status epilepticus is a condition resulting either from the failure of the mechanisms responsible for seizure termination or from the initiation of mechanisms, which lead to abnormally prolonged seizures (after time point t1). It is a condition, which can have long-term consequences (after time point t2), including neuronal death, neuronal injury, and alteration of neuronal networks, depending on the type and duration of seizures” (47). For generalized convulsive status epilepticus, the task force considered 5 minutes and 30 minutes as duration of t1 and t2, respectively.

For a more detailed review of the history of status epilepticus, see Neligan and Shorvon (36).

Clinical manifestations

Presentation and course

According to the ILAE task force report on classification of status epilepticus, the first axis of classification is based on semiology (47). The two main criteria in this axis are presence or absence of prominent motor symptoms and degree of unconsciousness. Those with prominent motor symptoms are categorized into convulsive status epilepticus, myoclonic, and focal motor. Under the category of convulsive, there are generalized convulsive status epilepticus, focal onset evolving into bilateral convulsive status epilepticus, and unknown. The reported percentage that starts with a focal onset varies significantly depending on the age and population being studied. If generalized convulsive status epilepticus is untreated or inadequately treated, the motor manifestations become increasingly subtle the longer it persists. Impaired consciousness is always present from the time the seizure generalizes.

Prognosis and complications

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus is the most dramatic and life-threatening form of status epilepticus. The reported case-fatality ratio varies among the studies and is closely linked to the underlying etiology, which can be different in different age groups. Low level of antiseizure medications, trauma, alcohol, and fever are usually associated with lower mortality rate whereas hypoxia, stroke, and CNS infection are associated with higher rates. In a meta-analysis of 61 studies, the pooled mortality rate in adult studies was 15.9% (95% CI, 12.7%-19.2%), 13% (95% CI, 7.2%-19%) for all-aged population studies, and 3.6% (95% CI, 2%-5.2%) for pediatric studies (35). There are variations in the reported estimate of mortality, ranging from 21% in the first 30 days after an episode of status epilepticus to 31.2% 10-year mortality. These estimates are lower in reports that are based on in-hospital mortality due to shorter observation periods (31).

Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) is a 6-point scoring that was originally developed to orient early treatment strategy and was shown to have a negative correlation with survival and return to baseline clinical condition (39). In the STESS scoring system, 1 point is assigned for being stuporous or comatose, 1 point for generalized convulsive seizure, 2 points for nonconvulsive status epilepticus in coma, 2 points for age of 65 or higher, and 1 point for no (or unknown) history of previous seizures.

The Epidemiology-based Mortality Score in Status Epilepticus (EMSE) is another scoring system based on four factors: etiology, age, comorbidity, and EEG (EACE), which has a prognostic value in mortality (27). In a study comparing the STESS with modified EMSE score (using three factors: etiology, age, and comorbidity-EAC) the cutoff for STESS was 4 points or higher and for EMSE-EAC was 34 points or higher. Both scores were found to have useful short-term mortality prediction and high negative predictive value (40). A review of prognostic scores in status epilepticus is provided by Yuan and colleagues (53).

In general, mortality is highest in the elderly, up to 50% in the age group of 80 years and above, which is probably because of presence of more comorbid conditions in this age group and because the etiology is often of more ominous causes such as anoxia, hypoxia, and severe stroke (28). A univariate analysis of a cohort of 365 patients with status epilepticus in New Zealand revealed that mortality was higher in older patients, patients with longer duration of status epileptic, patients with higher STESS, and patients who developed status epilepticus in the hospital (12). However, with multivariate analysis, the statistical significance was not maintained (12).

Refractory status epilepticus is defined as status epilepticus that persists despite use of an appropriate dose of a first-line agent (benzodiazepines) and a second-line antiseizure medication, and usually requires a third-line medication (anesthetics). Super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) refers to status epilepticus that persists for more than 24 hours following the introduction of anesthetics. About 29% to 43% of patients with status epilepticus progress to refractory status epilepticus despite treatment. A cohort of 804 patients with status epilepticus reported a significantly higher mortality rate in refractory status epilepticus (24.5%) and super-refractory status epilepticus (37.9%) compared to the patients with nonrefractory status epilepticus (9.8%) (11). Similarly, in another cohort of 491 patients with status epilepticus, refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus were associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality. In this study, older age, severe consciousness impairment before treatment initiation and higher EMSE were identified as independent predictors of mortality during hospitalization (23). In a cohort of pediatric patients with refractory convulsive status epilepticus, the longer time to onset of treatment with benzodiazepines was associated with higher mortality (14).

Other complications during generalized convulsive status epilepticus include respiratory failure and hypoxia, hyperpyrexia, excessive sweating, salivary and tracheobronchial hypersecretion, tachycardia, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, respiratory or metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, hepatic failure, and intracranial hypertension. In a metaanalysis of 266 patients with nonhypoxic super-refractory status epilepticus, only 26.8% had none to slight disability at the time of discharge, and the rest had moderate to severe disabilities (09).

Patients with status epilepticus are at risk of developing subsequent epilepsy and the reported risk in different studies has a wide range of about 12% to 40% (18). However, most of these studies are not limited to generalized convulsive status epilepticus but include nonconvulsive status epilepticus as well. In another study of 257 patients with first-time nonhypoxic status epilepticus, the estimated 1-, 2-, and 5-year rates of seizure occurrence in cases with acute cause of status epilepticus were 19.4%, 23.4%, and 30.1%, respectively (24).

In a cohort of children with generalized convulsive status epilepticus, the cumulative incidence of epilepsy was 24.7%, mostly in those with remote symptomatic generalized convulsive status epilepticus (38).

Biological basis

Localization

Refer to Presentation and course under Clinical manifestations above.

Etiology and pathogenesis

According to etiology (axis 2) classification of status epilepticus in a 2015 report of the ILAE task force, the underlying cause of status epilepticus can be divided into symptomatic or known and cryptogenic or unknown. In their report, it is argued that use of the term idiopathic or genetic is not applicable to the underlying etiology of status epilepticus as there is a known underlying metabolic, toxic, or intrinsic factor (such as sleep deprivation) that may lead to status epilepticus in patients with idiopathic or genetic epilepsy syndromes (47). In the category of known etiologies, based on the temporal relationship, the terms acute (such as stroke), remote (such as postencephalitic), and progressive (such as brain tumor) can be applied. In those with preexisting epilepsy, low serum level of antiseizure medications or breakthrough seizures are the most common etiologies. In those without preexisting epilepsy, the most common etiologies are acute stroke, anoxic or hypoxic injury, alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, drug-induced, infection, trauma, and metabolic derangements.

In children, the reported etiology varies among reports. In data from a cohort of 665 patients, febrile seizure was the cause in about 41% of children mostly between age 1 to 5, more than 55% had unknown cause, and only slightly over 2% had acute symptomatic causes (34). This is in contrast to some other studies where the proportion of known causes was higher (07; 51).

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a rare clinical condition when status epilepticus develops in a patient without history of active epilepsy or other preexisting relevant neurologic disorder and there is no clear acute or active structural, toxic, or metabolic causes found. Etiology of new-onset refractory status epilepticus is unknown. If a cause is eventually identified, autoimmune encephalitis is the most common. Antibodies targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and the voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex are the most commonly found antibodies (43). About half of the cases of new-onset refractory status epilepticus remain cryptogenic despite workup. However, the clinical manifestations in most of these cases resemble the cases with autoimmune etiology, and, therefore, it is possible that they are of autoimmune etiology with antibodies that are not yet identified.

Pathophysiology

Most evidence on status epilepticus pathophysiology is derived from animal models.

Several mechanisms are suggested to be involved in initiation and maintenance of seizure activity in status epilepticus. The initiation of seizure activity is mediated by an increase in excitatory input through glutamate excitation, a decrease in inhibitory input through GABA-mediated inhibition, or a change in both inputs to a group of neurons that usually leads to hypersynchronous neuronal firing. Other contributing mechanisms to synchronous neuronal firing include direct electrical coupling via gap junctions, shifts in extracellular ion concentrations, electrical field potentials mediated by extracellular current flow, and cellular swelling with narrowed intercellular space.

Animal studies show that changes in neuronal membrane receptors with prolonged seizures play a role in maintaining the seizures and make aborting them more difficult. One of these changes is internalization and decrease in membrane density of GABA-A receptors. This means that benzodiazepines that work on GABA-A receptors will be less effective in aborting seizures as the time lapses. On the other hand, there is externalization of the NMDA receptors and increase in their membrane density as soon as 5 minutes after onset of seizure activity. Other changes that lead to decreased inhibition include decreased adenosine, galanin, and dynorphin. Changes that can lead to increased inhibition include increased glutamate release, inflammation and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and increase in substance P (42; 20).

Repetitive muscle contraction during status epilepticus significantly increases the metabolic demand of the body and can lead to anaerobic metabolism and increase in metabolic acidosis and changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood glucose, electrolytes, and body temperature. Continued seizure can result in hypoxia, pulmonary edema, respiratory acidosis, and rhabdomyolysis. Eventually hypoxia, hypoglycemia, hyperthermia, and acidosis can lead to neuronal injury in prolonged seizures. This injury in neurons in the dentate nucleus and pyramidal layer of hippocampus can lead to hippocampal sclerosis, which, in turn, can be a focus of seizures and generate a vicious cycle (50).

Differential diagnosis

Confusing conditions

The diagnosis of overt generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus is not difficult and ordinarily should not be confused with any other condition. The impairment of consciousness differentiates the diagnosis of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus from focal-onset motor status epilepticus.

Nonepileptic status epilepticus, which is often prolonged, needs to be differentiated from epileptic generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. In a study, about 16% of patients who were intubated for a convulsive activity were found to have nonepileptic seizure. These patients compared to those who were intubated for an epileptic status epilepticus were more likely to have a history of psychiatric disorder; to have no history of intracranial abnormality; to be younger than 50 years of age, white, and female; and to have a systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mmHg (48). Clinically, most case of epileptic generalized tonic-clonic seizures should exhibit recognized patterns of evolution with initial tonic stiffening followed by clonic jerks that increase in amplitude but decrease in frequency as the seizure progresses. Each seizure should be stereotypically similar to others in the series. If the seizures exhibit a Jacksonian spread of motor involvement, the pattern of spread should be consistent with anatomical representation in the cortex. In addition, tonic-clonic activity should be sustained throughout the duration of the seizure without pauses and restarting.

Associated and underlying disorders

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus most often starts with focal-onset seizures. However, syndromes of generalized seizures can also present with generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus, especially in the setting of noncompliance with antiseizure medications. Refer to Presentation and course under Clinical manifestations and Etiology and pathogenesis, above.

Diagnostic workup

The diagnostic workup depends on the patient's history and on the response to treatment of the acute episode of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. In patients with preexisting epilepsy, the precipitating cause of the current episode of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus commonly includes a low serum concentration of antiseizure medications or intercurrent infection. This should be determined by obtaining blood for serum chemistries and concentration of antiseizure medications, complete blood count, and analysis of toxicologic agents.

A known history of intracranial abnormality may require neuroimaging with CT or preferably MRI to detect changes in the lesion, such as recurrence or enlargement of a mass.

If the episode of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus is the patient's first seizure, then the patient should be evaluated for causes of new-onset epilepsy or for the possibility of an underlying CNS condition. Depending on age, CNS infection, cerebral infarction, mass lesion, systemic metabolic disorders, substance abuse, or other toxins must be considered. Specifically, the following tests can be helpful in most cases:

EEG. Many cases of initial generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus can be diagnosed and managed only on the basis of history and neurologic examination. However, data obtained from an emergent EEG, serial EEGs, or video-EEG monitoring are required, especially in cases in which there is suspected ongoing nonconvulsive status epilepticus after generalized convulsive status epilepticus (13).

Typical EEG in generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus may show continuous bilateral though frequently asymmetric ictal discharges. However, some ictal EEG patterns are difficult to recognize as subtle generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus, and a routine EEG can miss intermittent ictal activity. Clinical guidelines for the indication of long-term video-EEG monitoring among critically ill patients, including status epilepticus, are published (17).

The meaning of other EEG patterns such as periodic discharges with or without lateralizing or epileptiform features depends on the clinical setting of status epilepticus; if post-anoxic EEG shows only periodic discharges without evolution, aggressive pharmacologic treatment should generally be avoided. Latest revision of guidelines for terminology of critical care EEG features have been developed by the American Clinical Neurophysiology and can be accessed at the following website: https://www.acns.org/UserFiles/file/ACNSStandardizedCriticalCareEEGTerminology_rev2021.pdf.

General anesthetics and other sedatives used in the ICU may abolish all motor output before they terminate subtle generalized convulsive status epilepticus; so without EEG, physicians will not be able to determine whether status epilepticus is controlled or how much medication is needed. This information is also important in the titration of the anesthetics to achieve desired EEG patterns (burst suppression, seizure cessation, or complete electrocerebral silence). With digital EEG, proprietary mathematical algorithms to process EEG to simplified, rapidly reviewable information are adventitious for management of refractory status and related cases in the neuro ICU. Compressed spectral array (CSA), rhythmic run detectors (R2D2), amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG), and various other paradigms are useful to detect potential seizures for detailed review.

Blood tests. Some of the useful blood tests include antiseizure medication levels, CBC, renal function, electrolytes, glucose, calcium, magnesium, liver function, blood gases, blood-clotting measures, and toxicology. Serum should be tested for presence of onconeuronal and cell-surface neuronal antibodies in cases of new-onset status epilepticus of unknown cause.

Lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture for CSF analysis may be performed if CNS infection is suspected. CSF may be checked for onconeuronal and cell-surface neuronal antibodies in cases of new-onset status epilepticus of unknown cause, particularly if suspicion for autoimmune etiology is high.

Brain imaging. MRI of the brain with gadolinium enhancement is recommended for first-time new-onset status epilepticus and may reveal the underlying etiology. Status epilepticus itself can result in increased signal intensity on FLAIR, T2-, or diffusion-weighted imaging sequences, along with areas of low value on ADC map. These changes are nonspecific and variably reversible on recovery from status epilepticus.

Management

• Three main fronts in management of generalized convulsive status epilepticus are termination of status epilepticus, prevention of recurrence, and treatment of complications.

Management of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus should proceed simultaneously along three fronts: termination of status epilepticus, prevention of recurrence, and treatment of complications. Traditionally, status epilepticus has been divided into four time-based stages. In 2012, the Neurocritical Care Society published guidelines for the management of status epilepticus and revised the conventional treatment stages to emergent initial therapy (first-line), urgent control therapy (second-line), and refractory therapy (third- and fourth-line). This was done simply to emphasize the importance of rapid treatment of status epilepticus. The American Epilepsy Society also published guidelines for status epilepticus management in which they divided management into four phases of time-based stabilization phase: initial, second, and third therapy phases (16). Stabilization of the patient is an integral part of treatment.

Table 1. First- and Second-Line Therapy Medications in Status Epilepticus

Antiepileptic medication	Initial and successive dosing	Maintenance dosing	Comments
Midazolam	0.2 mg/kg followed by 0.2-0.4 mg/kg bolus/5 mins, max total loading dose 2mg/kg, IV/IM	0.05-2 mg/kg/hr	Short duration, renal clearance
	Peds: 10 mg IM (> 40kg); 5mg IM (13-40kg); 0.2 mg/kg (intranasal); 0.5mg/kg (buccal)		Adverse effect: tachyphylaxis with prolonged infusion, respiratory depression and hypotension
Lorazepam	0.1 mg/kg/dose IV; max 4 mg/dose; may repeat once in 5-10 mins		Adverse effect: respiratory depression and hypotension
			Dilute with saline IV contains propylene glycol
Diazepam	0.15 mg/kg IV; max 10 mg/dose; may repeat in 5 minutes		High lipid solubility, stable in liquid form at room temperature
	Peds (rectal): 0.5 mg/kg (2-5 years); 0.3 mg/kg (6-11 years); 0.2 mg/kg (> 12 years)		Adverse effect: respiratory depression and hypotension
			Active metabolite IV contains propylene glycol
Fosphenytoin	20 mg PE/kg IV may give additional 5 mg/kg; max 1500 mg PE/dose	Up to 150 mg PE/min; may give additional dose 10 mins after loading dose. Peds: up to 3 mg/kg/min	Highly water soluble
			Avoid in cases attributed to cocaine, local anesthetics, theophylline, or lindane (same for phenytoin)
			Adverse effect: arrhythmias, hypotension, and purple glove syndrome
Phenytoin	20 mg/kg IV; may give additional 5-10 mg/kg	Up to 50 mg/min IV; may give additional dose 10 mins after loading dose Peds: up to 1 mg/kg/min
			Has propylene glycol Adverse effect: hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias
			Rapid infusions increase venous thrombosis resulting in purple glove syndrome
Valproate sodium	20-40 mg/kg IV; may give an additional 20 mg/kg	250-500 mg IV every 8 hours Peds: 1.5-3.0 mg/kg/min	Valproic serum levels can be obtained following loading dose infusion
			Adverse effect: hyperammonemia, pancreatitis, thrombocytopenia, hepatoxicity
Levetiracetam	1000-3000 mg IV over 15 minutes	1000-2000 mg IV every 8-12 hours	Renal clearance
	Peds: 20-60 mg/kg IV
Lacosamide	200-400 mg IV	200 mg IV every 8-12 hours	Adverse effect: third degree AV block, PR prolongation, and hypotension
	No pediatric dosing established
Phenobarbital	20 mg/kg IV; may give additional 5-10 mg/kg	50-100 mg/min IV; may give additional dose 10 min after loading infusion	IV contains propylene glycol Adverse effect: hypotension, respiratory depression
Topiramate	200-400 mg NG/PO	300-1600 mg/day PO divided 2-4 times daily	Metabolic acidosis, no IV formulation
			Metabolic acidosis in patients who are receiving propofol or pentobarbital

Termination of status epilepticus. The management of status epilepticus starts with the arrival of paramedics. Benzodiazepines can be given safely and effectively out of the hospital by paramedics. Results of the RAMPART trial involving 79 hospitals and more than 4000 paramedics showed that intramuscular midazolam not only was noninferior but was superior to intravenous lorazepam (44). The superior efficacy of intramuscular midazolam was due to more rapid administration of the drug in a prehospital setting. Buccal or nasal midazolam appeared to be at least as effective as rectal diazepam with little or no side effects. Meta-analysis showed the buccal and nasal administration was easy to handle and socially more acceptable than the rectal route (04).

In-hospital treatment usually begins with an intravenous benzodiazepine as first-line therapy. This should be followed with second-line therapy as either maintenance therapy or an attempt to terminate the status epilepticus if benzodiazepines fail. In a 2019 meta-analysis on cost-effectiveness of second-line antiseizure medications, phenobarbital, valproate, lacosamide, levetiracetam, and phenytoin were found to be the most effective medications. The most cost-effective medications in the same study were levetiracetam followed by valproate (41). In a randomized controlled clinical trial (ESETT-Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial), the efficacy of intravenous levetiracetam, phenytoin, and valproate were compared, and no statistically significant differences were seen between these three medications as all three resulted in seizure cessation and improved consciousness by 60 minutes in approximately half of the patients (21). In two randomized trials in children (ConSept and EcLiPSE) it was shown that levetiracetam is not superior to phenytoin as second-line treatment in pediatric status epilepticus (10; 32). Valproate should be considered first when idiopathic (genetic) generalized epilepsy is the cause of status epilepticus. The evidence for using topiramate is scant and inconclusive. There is increasing evidence about the efficacy of lacosamide in both convulsive and nonconvulsive status epilepticus with an overall efficacy of about 57% in a systematic review of the literature (45). There is little controlled data about brivaracetam, but there are some promising observational data about the efficacy of this medication (03; 37; 33).

When available, the intravenous form of the patient’s routine medications should be given as low levels are a common cause of status epilepticus, and lab results of serum levels may not be available in a timely manner. Oral replacement of routine medications can also be given but may have a delayed effect.

In cases of refractory status epilepticus, third-line coma-inducing agents should be started, aiming for burst-suppression or seizure suppression on continuous EEG. There is far less unanimity for the choice of agents for third-line therapy. Although many epilepsy specialists prefer nonanesthetic antiseizure medications, such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines, many ICU specialists prefer anesthetic agents like propofol. Currently, the best evidence supports continuous intravenous infusions of short-acting barbiturates (pentobarbital), benzodiazepine (midazolam), or propofol. Pentobarbital was superior to both propofol and midazolam in effectively controlling refractory status epilepticus (08; 29); however, it was significantly more likely to lead to hypotension. Prolonged use of propofol comes with higher risk of propofol infusion syndrome, which can be fatal. The cardiorespiratory side effects of midazolam are less compared to pentobarbital or propofol. If patients cannot tolerate hemodynamic instability or use of vasopressors, intravenous ketamine is an option without risk of hypotension. Ketamine can also be used for super-refractory status epilepticus (01). In a literature review published by the treatment committee of the American Epilepsy Society, it was noted that in the case of convulsive refractory status epilepticus there is not sufficient evidence on the efficacy of antiseizure medications such as lacosamide, levetiracetam, brivaracetam, and valproate, as well as anesthetic agents such as pentobarbital, propofol, midazolam, and ketamine (49).

Burst-suppression or complete seizure suppression should be maintained for 24 to 48 hours. One or more antiseizure medications should be optimized with high or supra therapeutic doses/levels during this time in order to increase likelihood of a successful wean from coma-inducing or anesthetic agents. The patient’s usual antiseizure medications with suspected or known low levels should be replenished and maintained. If seizures recur on weaning from anesthetic agents, additional antiseizure medications and other agents may be added. If maximal medication treatment is unsuccessful to escape anesthetic-sedative therapy, alternative treatments should be considered, and longer duration burst-suppression or seizure suppression with an anesthetic agent should be continued, along with alternate therapies.

Table 2. Treatments for Refractory Status Epilepticus

Antiepileptic drug	Initial dosing	Maintenance dosing	Comment
Midazolam	0.2 mg/kg IV/IM at 2 mg/min, max: 10 mg	0.05-2 mg/kg/hr	Short duration, renal clearance
	Peds: 10 mg IM (> 40 kg); 5 mg IM (13-40 kg); 0.2 mg/kg (intranasal); 0.5 mg/kg (buccal)		Adverse effect: respiratory depression and hypotension
Propofol	20 mcg/kg; loading dose of 1-2 mg/kg	30-200 mcg/kg/min CIV	Caution for doses >65 mcg/kg/min, propofol infusion syndrome
		Titration 5-10 mcg/kg/min every 5 minutes or 1 mg/kg bolus plus CIV	Contraindicated for children
Pentobarbital	5-15 mg/kg; may give additional 5-10 mg/kg, administer at CIV rate <50 mg/min	0.5-5 mg/kg/hr CIV by 0.5 mg/kg/hr every 12 hours	Hypotension is common, requires vasopressor support, very long half-life 15-50 hours
	For breakthrough seizure 5 mg/kg bolus increase CIV rate 0		Other adverse effects: gastric stasis, myocardial suppression, thrombocytopenia
Ketamine	1.5 mg/kg every 3-5 minutes until seizure stops; maximum 4.5 mg/kg	Initial rate 20 ug/kg/mins, increase rate to 10-20 ug/kg/min	Noted to cause hypertension
	Optimum dose uncertain, extrapolated from anesthesia	Maintenance 5-125 ug/kg/min (0.3-7.5 mg/kg/h)	Avoid in patients with elevated intracranial pressure, traumatic brain injury, ocular injuries, hypertension, CFH, myocardial infarction, tachyarrhythmias, and history of alcohol abuse

Alternative treatments for super refractory status epilepticus (SRSE). Alternative therapies should be considered in cases of refractory status epilepticus that prove refractory to all treatments. Most of these cases occur in young adults with new-onset refractory status epilepticus. Treatment recommendations currently are mostly based on case series and clinical experience rather than randomized clinical trials. If immune causes are suspected, for acute treatment, high-dose intravenous steroids (IV methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 3 to 5 days), with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (0.4 g/kg per day for 5 days) or plasma exchange (alternate days for five sessions) are recommended (46). If these first-line treatments fail or there is relapse, second-line immunosuppressive therapy such as rituximab or cyclophosphamide can be considered (22).

Therapeutic hypothermia has received attention as an alternative treatment for status epilepticus, refractory status epilepticus, and super-refractory status epilepticus mostly based on the animal models; however, the evidence for its clinical use has not been strong. The HYBERNATUS (Hypothermia for Brain Enhancement Recovery by Neuroprotective and Anticonvulsant Action after Convulsive Status Epilepticus) trial is a randomized, open-label prospective trial looking at the use of moderate hypothermia (32° to 34° C) for 24 hours, which found that hypothermia added to standard care was not associated with significantly better 90-day outcome than standard care alone in patients with convulsive status epilepticus (26). In a few pediatric case reports, there was significant control of seizures with therapeutic hypothermia but many of them experienced recurrence after rewarming (25).

A phase I/II multicenter study on ketogenic diet that involved 15 patients with super refractory status epilepticus showed resolution of seizure in 11 (73%) of the patients. Side effects included metabolic acidosis, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and constipation. Five patients ultimately died (33%) (06).

Surgical treatment, including focal resection, functional hemispherectomy, and implantation of neurostimulator devices such as vagus nerve stimulator and deep brain stimulator can be effective treatment for super-refractory status epilepticus. A systematic review of surgical management of refractory status epilepticus is provided by Jha and colleagues (19).

Prevention of recurrence. Identifying the etiology and treating the underlying cause is crucial for the proper management of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. Many etiologies, such as intracranial infections, metabolic derangements, and stroke, are treatable. Treatment of alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal is essential for generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus treatment.

Treatment of complications. Management of the complications of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus involves understanding and managing the physiological consequences of tonic-clonic seizures. Greater duration of anesthesia and coma is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Following status epilepticus, hyperthermia may persist for some time. Temperature elevation may contribute to brain damage. Elevations in epinephrine may trigger cardiac arrhythmias and ischemic changes as well as elevations in plasma glucose. Peripheral accumulation of lactate may result in acidosis.

References

01: Alkhachroum A, Der-Nigoghossian CA, Mathews E, et al. Ketamine to treat super-refractory status epilepticus. Neurology 2020;95(16):e2286-94. PMID 32873691
02: Ascoli M, Ferlazzo E, Gasparini S, et al. Epidemiology and outcomes of status epilepticus. Int J Gen Med 2021;14:2965-73. PMID 34234526
03: Brigo F, Lattanzi S, Nardone R, Trinka E. Intravenous brivaracetam in the treatment of status epilepticus: a systematic review. CNS Drugs 2019;33(8):771-81. PMID 31342405
04: Brigo F, Nardone R, Tezzon F, Trinka E. Nonintravenous midazolam versus intravenous or rectal diazepam for the treatment of early status epilepticus: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2015;49:325-36. PMID 25817929
05: Calmeil J. De l'epilepsie, etudiee sous le rapport de son siege et de son influence sur la production de alienation mentale. [thesis] Universite de Paris 1824.
06: Cervenka MC, Hocker S, Koenig M, et al. Phase I/II multicenter ketogenic diet study for adult superrefractory status epilepticus. Neurology 2017;88(10):938-43. PMID 28179470
07: Chiarello D, Duranti F, Lividini A, et al. Clinical characterization of status epilepticus in childhood: a retrospective study in 124 patients. Seizure 2020;78:127-33. PMID 32371369
08: Claassen J, Hirsch LJ, Emerson RG, Mayer SA. Treatment of refractory status epilepticus with pentobarbital, propofol, or midazolam: a systematic review. Epilepsia 2002;43(2):146-53. PMID 11903460
09: Cornwall CD, Krøigård T, Kristensen JSS, Callesen HE, Beier CP. Outcomes and treatment approaches for super-refractory status epilepticus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol 2023;80(9):959-68. PMID 37523161
10: Dalziel SR, Borland ML, Furyk J, et al. Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for second-line treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in children (ConSEPT): an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2019;393(10186):2135-45. PMID 31005386
11: Delaj L, Novy J, Ryvlin P, Marchi NA, Rossetti AO. Refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus in adults: a 9-year cohort study. Acta Neurol Scand 2017;135(1):92-9. PMID 27080243
12: Fong MWK, Stephens E, Brockington A, et al. Status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand: Treatment patterns and determinants of outcome in a prospective population-based cohort. Epilepsia 2024. [Epub ahead of print] PMID 38634858
13: Fung FW, Abend NS. EEG monitoring after convulsive status epilepticus. J Clin Neurophysiol 2020;37(5):406-10. PMID 32890062
14: Gaínza-Lein M, Sánchez Fernández I, Jackson M, et al. Association of time to treatment with short-term outcomes for pediatric patients with refractory convulsive status epilepticus. JAMA Neurol 2018;75(4):410-8. PMID 29356811
15: Gastaut H, Roger J, Lob H, editors. Les états de mal épileptiques. Paris: Masson, 1962.
16: Glauser T, Shinnar S, Gloss D, et al. Evidence-based guideline: treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in children and adults: report of the Guideline Committee of the American Epilepsy Society. Epilepsy Curr 2016;16(1):48-61.** PMID 26900382
17: Herman ST, Abend NS, Bleck TP, et al. Consensus statement on continuous EEG in critically ill adults and children, part I: indications. J Clin Neurophysiol 2015;32(2):87-95. PMID 25626778
18: Jafarpour S, Stredny CM, Piantino J, Chapman KE. Baseline and outcome assessment in pediatric status epilepticus. Seizure 2019;68:52-61. PMID 29747930
19: Jha R, Blitz SE, Chua MMJ, Warren AEL, Lee JW, Rolston JD. Surgical management of status epilepticus: A systematic review. Epilepsia Open 2024. [Epub ahead of print] PMID 38456595
20: Johnson EL, Kaplan PW. Status epilepticus: definition, classification, pathophysiology, and epidemiology. Semin Neurol 2020;40(6):647-51.** PMID 33176371
21: Kapur J, Elm J, Chamberlain JM, et al. Randomized trial of three anticonvulsant medications for status epilepticus. N Engl J Med 2019;381(22):2103-13.** PMID 31774955
22: Kirmani BF, Au K, Ayari L, John M, Shetty P, Delorenzo RJ. Super-refractory status epilepticus: prognosis and recent advances in management. Aging Dis 2021;12(4):1097-119. PMID 34221552
23: Lattanzi S, Giovannini G, Orlandi N, Brigo F, Trinka E, Meletti S. How much refractory is 'refractory status epilepticus'? A retrospective study of treatment strategies and clinical outcomes. J Neurol 2023;270(12):6133-40. PMID 37587268
24: Lattanzi S, Orlandi N, Giovannini G, Brigo F, Trinka E, Meletti S. The risk of unprovoked seizure occurrence after status epilepticus in adults. Epilepsia 2024;65(4):1006-16. PMID 38339985
25: Legriel S. Hypothermia as an adjuvant treatment in paediatric refractory or super-refractory status epilepticus. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020;62(9):1017-23. PMID 32412660
26: Legriel S, Lemiale V, Schenck M, et al. Hypothermia for neuroprotection in convulsive status epilepticus. N Engl J Med 2016;375(25):2457-67. PMID 28002714
27: Leitinger M, Höller Y, Kalss G, Rohracher A, et al. Epidemiology-based mortality score in status epilepticus (EMSE). Neurocrit Care 2015;22(2):273-82. PMID 25412806
28: Leppik IE. Status epilepticus in the elderly. Epilepsia 2018;59 Suppl 2:140-3. PMID 30159881
29: Lowenstein DH. The management of refractory status epilepticus: an update. Epilepsia 2006;47:35-40. PMID 17044824
30: Lowenstein DH, Bleck T, Macdonald RL. It's time to revise the definition of status epilepticus. Epilepsia 1999;40:120-2. PMID 9924914
31: Lu M, Faure M, Bergamasco A, et al. Epidemiology of status epilepticus in the United States: a systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2020;112:107459. PMID 33181886
32: Lyttle MD, Rainford NEA, Gamble C, et al. Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for second-line treatment of paediatric convulsive status epilepticus (EcLiPSE): a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial. Lancet 2019;393(10186):2125-34. PMID 31005385
33: Martellino C, Laganà A, Atanasio G, et al. The real-world effectiveness of intravenous brivaracetam as a second-line treatment in status epilepticus. Epilepsy Behav 2023;148:109464. PMID 37839249
34: Mitchell C, Chatterton Dickson L, Ramsay A, et al. Epidemiology and outcome of status epilepticus in children: a Scottish population cohort study. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021;63(9):1075-84. PMID 33929072
35: Neligan A, Noyce AJ, Gosavi TD, Shorvon SD, Köhler S, Walker MC. Change in mortality of generalized convulsive status epilepticus in high-income countries over time: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol 2019;76(8):897-905. PMID 31135807
36: Neligan A, Shorvon SD. The history of status epilepticus and its treatment. Epilepsia 2009;50 Suppl 3:56-68. PMID 19298433
37: Orlandi N, Bartolini E, Audenino D, et al. Intravenous brivaracetam in status epilepticus: a multicentric retrospective study in Italy. Seizure 2021;86:70-6. PMID 33561784
38: Pujar SS, Martinos MM, Cortina-Borja M, et al. Long-term prognosis after childhood convulsive status epilepticus: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2018;2(2):103-11. PMID 30169233
39: Rossetti AO, Logroscino G, Milligan TA, Michaelides C, Ruffieux C, Bromfield EB. Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS): a tool to orient early treatment strategy. J Neurol 2008;255(10):1561-6. PMID 18769858
40: Sairanen JJ, Kantanen AM, Hyppölä HT, Kälviäinen RK. Outcome of status epilepticus and the predictive value of the EMSE and STESS scores: a prospective study. Seizure 2020;75:115-20.** PMID 31945716
41: Sánchez Fernández I, Gaínza-Lein M, Lamb N, Loddenkemper T. Meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness of second-line antiepileptic drugs for status epilepticus. Neurology 2019a;92(20):e2339-48.** PMID 31068480
42: Sánchez Fernández I, Goodkin HP, Scott RC. Pathophysiology of convulsive status epilepticus. Seizure 2019b;68:16-21.** PMID 30170734
43: Sculier C, Gaspard N. New onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). Seizure 2019;68:72-8. PMID 30482654
44: Silbergleit R, Lowenstein D, Durkalski V, Conwit R, Neurological Emergency Treatment Trials (NETT) Investigators. RAMPART (Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial): a double-blind randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of intramuscular midazolam versus intravenous lorazepam in the prehospital treatment of status epilepticus by paramedics. Epilepsia 2011;52 Suppl 8:45-7. PMID 21967361
45: Strzelczyk A, Zöllner JP, Willems LM, et al. Lacosamide in status epilepticus: systematic review of current evidence. Epilepsia 2017;58(6):933-50. PMID 28295226
46: Toledano M, Britton JW, McKeon A, et al. Utility of an immunotherapy trial in evaluating patients with presumed autoimmune epilepsy. Neurology 2014;82(18):1578-86. PMID 24706013
47: Trinka E, Cock H, Hesdorffer D, et al. A definition and classification of status epilepticus--report of the ILAE Task Force on Classification of Status Epilepticus. Epilepsia 2015;56(10):1515-23. PMID 26336950
48: Viarasilpa T, Panyavachiraporn N, Osman G, et al. Differentiation of psychogenic nonepileptic attacks from status epilepticus among patients intubated for convulsive activity. Epilepsy Behav 2021;115:107679. PMID 33360401
49: Vossler DG, Bainbridge JL, Boggs JG, et al. Treatment of refractory convulsive status epilepticus: a comprehensive review by the American Epilepsy Society Treatments Committee. Epilepsy Curr 2020;20(5):245-64.** PMID 32822230
50: Walker MC. Hippocampal sclerosis: causes and prevention. Semin Neurol 2015;35(3):193-200. PMID 26060898
51: Wang T, Wang J, Dou Y, et al. Clinical characteristics and prognosis in a large paediatric cohort with status epilepticus. Seizure 2020;80:5-11. PMID 32480280
52: Wilson JV, Reynolds EH. Texts and documents. Translation and analysis of a cuneiform text forming part of a Babylonian treatise on epilepsy. Med Hist 1990;34:185-98. PMID 2187129
53: Yuan F, Damien C, Gaspard N. Prognostic scores in status epilepticus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsia 2023;64(1):17-28. PMID 36271624

Contributors

All contributors' financial relationships have been reviewed and mitigated to ensure that this and every other article is free from commercial bias.

Authors

Shahram Izadyar MD

Dr. Izadyar of Upstate Medical University in Syracuse received research grants from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Xenon Pharmaceuticals.
See Profile
Robert L Beach MD PhD

Dr. Beach, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
See Profile

Editor

Jerome Engel Jr MD PhD

Dr. Engel of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
See Profile

Former Authors

Rajdeep Singh MD
Ziad MK El-Zammar MD
Michael Vincent S Mendoza MD
Umair Afzal MD
Sherif Elwan MD

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.

Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.
Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.
Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.
Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.

Questions or Comment?

MedLink®, LLC

3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122

Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400

US Number: +1-619-640-4660

Support: service@medlink.com

Editor: editor@medlink.com

ISSN: 2831-9125

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus

Associated Disorders

Partial onset seizures
Syndromes of generalized seizures

Differential Diagnosis

simple partial (focal motor) status epilepticus
nonepileptic status epilepticus

Also Relevant

Epilepsy
Subtle status epilepticus

Clinical Categories

Epilepsy & Seizures

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus …

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus

Introduction

Overview

Key points

Historical note and terminology

Clinical manifestations

Presentation and course

Prognosis and complications

Biological basis

Localization

Etiology and pathogenesis

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Differential diagnosis

Confusing conditions

Associated and underlying disorders

Diagnostic workup

Management

Table 1. First- and Second-Line Therapy Medications in Status Epilepticus

Table 2. Treatments for Refractory Status Epilepticus

References

Contributors

Authors

Editor

Former Authors

Patient Profile

ICD & OMIM codes

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.

Questions or Comment?

Also in This Category

Photosensitive occipital lobe epilepsy

Intermittent explosive disorder

Pyridoxine/P5P-dependent developmental epileptic encephalopathy

Reflex seizures

Anti-LGI1 encephalitis

Self-limited (familial) neonatal epilepsy

Epilepsy with auditory features

Alcohol withdrawal seizures

Generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus

Introduction

Overview

Key points

Historical note and terminology

Clinical manifestations

Presentation and course

Prognosis and complications

Biological basis

Localization

Etiology and pathogenesis

Pathophysiology

Epidemiology

Differential diagnosis

Confusing conditions

Associated and underlying disorders

Diagnostic workup

Management

Table 1. First- and Second-Line Therapy Medications in Status Epilepticus

Table 2. Treatments for Refractory Status Epilepticus

References

Contributors

Authors

Editor

Former Authors

Patient Profile

ICD & OMIM codes

This is an article preview. Start a Free Account to access the full version.

Questions or Comment?

Also in This Category

Photosensitive occipital lobe epilepsy

Intermittent explosive disorder

Pyridoxine/P5P-dependent developmental epileptic encephalopathy

Reflex seizures

Anti-LGI1 encephalitis

Self-limited (familial) neonatal epilepsy

Epilepsy with auditory features

Alcohol withdrawal seizures

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.