2025 Multiprofessional Critical Care Review: Adult Online-Seizure and Status Epileptics

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discusses seizures, epilepsy, and status epilepticus, emphasizing the difference between single seizures and epilepsy (recurrent, unprovoked seizures). Most seizures involve abnormal synchronized brain activity visible on EEG, with primary generalized seizures typically seen in children and secondary generalized seizures starting locally and spreading, common in older adults often due to stroke. EEG monitoring is crucial in ICUs, especially for patients who do not regain consciousness after sedation or have brain injuries, as about 10% of medical ICU patients may have nonconvulsive seizures. Status epilepticus, prolonged seizures exceeding 5 minutes, requires urgent treatment starting with lorazepam dosed at 0.1 mg/kg, followed by second-line agents like fosphenytoin, valproate, or levetiracetam if seizures persist. Accurate EEG interpretation is key but complex, with patterns like burst suppression indicating controlled status. Distinguishing seizures from myoclonic jerks, especially post-cardiac arrest, requires video EEG. Overall, timely EEG and treatment are essential to prevent brain damage and improve outcomes.

Keywords

seizures

epilepsy

status epilepticus

EEG monitoring

lorazepam treatment

	Society of Critical Care Medicine 500 Midway Drive Mount Prospect, IL 60056 USA Phone: +1 847 827-6888 Fax: +1 847 439-7226 Email: support@sccm.org	Contact Us About SCCM Newsroom Advertising & Sponsorship DONATE	MySCCM LearnICU Patients & Families Surviving Sepsis Campaign Critical Care Societies Collaborative	GET OUR NEWSLETTER
© Society of Critical Care Medicine. All rights reserved. \| Privacy Statement \| Terms & Conditions The Society of Critical Care Medicine, SCCM, and Critical Care Congress are registered trademarks of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.