Status Epilepticus – A recent review

Status Epilepticus (SE), a common medical emergency with significant mortality and morbidity ranging from 3-50 % in different studies. Seizures lasting for more than 5 minutes should be treated as for convulsive status epilepticus. Pathophysiological mechanisms have revealed that it is a dynamic and evolving process. Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is status epilepticus without obvious tonic–clonic activity. Patients with NCSE have altered mental state. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as status epilepticus that continues despite treatment with benzodiazepines and one antiepileptic drug. The goals of pharmacological therapy are to terminate seizures early and prevent recurrence. Clinical studies have shown the benefit of early administration of benzodiazepines to control status epilepticus.