Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the current management of status epilepticus (SE) in intensive care units (ICUs) in Germany, depending on the different hospital levels of care and the ICU specialty. We performed a nationwide web-based anonymized survey, including all German ICUs registered with the German Society for Neurointensive and Emergency Care (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurointensiv- und Notfallmedizin; DGNI). The response rate was 83/232 (36%). Continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) was available in 86% of ICUs. Regular written cEEG reports were obtained in only 50%. Drug management was homogeneous with a general consensus regarding substance order: benzodiazepines—anticonvulsants—sedatives. Thereunder first choice substances were lorazepam (90%), levetiracetam (91%), and propofol (73%). Data suggest that network structures for super-refractory SE are not permeable, as 75% did not transfer SE patients. Our survey provides “real world data” concerning the current management of SE in Germany. Uniform standards in the implementation of cEEG could help further improve the overall quality. Initial therapy management is standardized. For super-refractory SE, a concentration of highly specialized centers establishing network structures analogous to neurovascular diseases seems desirable to apply rescue therapies with low evidence carefully, ideally collecting data on this rare condition in registries and clinical trials.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
