In dogs undergoing extrahepatic portosystemic shunt attenuation, does pretreatment with levetiracetam reduce postoperative seizure incidence?

Abstract

PICO question
 PICO
 
 Clinical bottom line
 Category of research question
 Treatment
 The number and type of study designs reviewed
 Four papers were critically reviewed. All were retrospective cohort studies
 Strength of evidence
 Moderate
 Outcomes reported
 In one paper levetiracetam was found to reduce the risk of post-attenuation seizures. In the remaining three papers no difference was found between the frequency of post-attenuation seizures and the use of levetiracetam
 Conclusion
 That prophylactic levetiracetam is not indicated for the use of preventing post-attenuation seizures in dogs surgically treated for extrahepatic portosystemic shunts
 
 How to apply this evidence in practice
 The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources.
 Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.