OBJECTIVE: This study compares 2 treatment protocols allowing low vs high continuous IV midazolam (cIV-MDZ) doses. METHODS: We compared adults with refractory status epilepticus treated with a protocol allowing for high-dose cIV-MDZ (n = 100; 2002-2011) with those treated with the previous lower-dose cIV-MDZ (n = 29; 1996-2000). We collected data on baseline characteristics, cIV-MDZ doses, seizure control, hospital course, and outcome. RESULTS: Median maximum cIV-MDZ dose was 0.4 mg/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] 0.2, 1.0) for the high-dose group and 0.2 mg/kg/h (IQR 0.1, 0.3) for the low-dose group (p < 0.001) with similar duration of infusion. Median time from status epilepticus onset to cIV-MDZ start was 1 day (IQR 1, 3) for the high-dose group and 2 days (IQR 1, 5) for the low-dose group (p = 0.016). "Withdrawal seizures" (occurring within 48 hours of discontinuation of cIV-MDZ) were less frequent in the high-dose group (15% vs 64%, odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.27). "Ultimate cIV-MDZ failure" (patients requiring change to a different cIV antiepileptic medication) and hospital complications were not different between groups. Hypotension was more frequent with higher cIV-MDZ doses but was not associated with worse outcome. Discharge mortality was lower in the high-dose group (40% vs 62%, odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.92 in multivariate analysis). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose cIV-MDZ treatment of refractory status epilepticus can be performed safely, is associated with a lower seizure rate after cIV-MDZ discontinuation, and may be associated with lower mortality than traditional lower-dose protocols. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that midazolam at higher infusion rates is associated with a reduction in seizure recurrence within 48 hours after discontinuation and may be associated with lower mortality.
OBJECTIVE: This study compares 2 treatment protocols allowing low vs high continuous IV midazolam (cIV-MDZ) doses. METHODS: We compared adults with refractory status epilepticus treated with a protocol allowing for high-dose cIV-MDZ (n = 100; 2002-2011) with those treated with the previous lower-dose cIV-MDZ (n = 29; 1996-2000). We collected data on baseline characteristics, cIV-MDZ doses, seizure control, hospital course, and outcome. RESULTS: Median maximum cIV-MDZ dose was 0.4 mg/kg/h (interquartile range [IQR] 0.2, 1.0) for the high-dose group and 0.2 mg/kg/h (IQR 0.1, 0.3) for the low-dose group (p < 0.001) with similar duration of infusion. Median time from status epilepticus onset to cIV-MDZ start was 1 day (IQR 1, 3) for the high-dose group and 2 days (IQR 1, 5) for the low-dose group (p = 0.016). "Withdrawal seizures" (occurring within 48 hours of discontinuation of cIV-MDZ) were less frequent in the high-dose group (15% vs 64%, odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.27). "Ultimate cIV-MDZ failure" (patients requiring change to a different cIV antiepileptic medication) and hospital complications were not different between groups. Hypotension was more frequent with higher cIV-MDZ doses but was not associated with worse outcome. Discharge mortality was lower in the high-dose group (40% vs 62%, odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.92 in multivariate analysis). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose cIV-MDZ treatment of refractory status epilepticus can be performed safely, is associated with a lower seizure rate after cIV-MDZ discontinuation, and may be associated with lower mortality than traditional lower-dose protocols. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that midazolam at higher infusion rates is associated with a reduction in seizure recurrence within 48 hours after discontinuation and may be associated with lower mortality.
Authors: Nicolas Gaspard; Brandon P Foreman; Vincent Alvarez; Christian Cabrera Kang; John C Probasco; Amy C Jongeling; Emma Meyers; Alyssa Espinera; Kevin F Haas; Sarah E Schmitt; Elizabeth E Gerard; Teneille Gofton; Peter W Kaplan; Jong W Lee; Benjamin Legros; Jerzy P Szaflarski; Brandon M Westover; Suzette M LaRoche; Lawrence J Hirsch Journal: Neurology Date: 2015-08-21 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Vincent Alvarez; Jong Woo Lee; M Brandon Westover; Frank W Drislane; Jan Novy; Mohamed Faouzi; Nicola A Marchi; Barbara A Dworetzky; Andrea O Rossetti Journal: Neurology Date: 2016-09-24 Impact factor: 9.910