Propofol and thiopental for refractory status epilepticus in children

• Published in: Neurology Vol. 65; no. 4; p. 591
• Main Authors: van Gestel, J P J, Blussé van Oud-Alblas, H J, Malingré, M, Ververs, F F T, Braun, K P J, van Nieuwenhuizen, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 23.08.2005
• Subjects: Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage; Anticonvulsants - adverse effects; Child; Clinical Protocols - standards; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Resistance - physiology; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia - chemically induced; Liver Failure - chemically induced; Lung Diseases - chemically induced; Multiple Organ Failure - chemically induced; Propofol - administration & dosage; Propofol - adverse effects; Retrospective Studies; Rhabdomyolysis - chemically induced; Status Epilepticus - drug therapy; Thiopental - administration & dosage; Thiopental - adverse effects; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1526-632X
• DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000173066.89001.f9

To assess safety and efficacy of propofol and thiopental for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) in children, the authors reviewed 34 episodes of RSE. Thiopental was effective in most patients, but there were serious side effects. Propofol was used according to a strict protocol. It was effective in most patients, so that thiopental was not needed. Side effects were infrequent, of minor severity, and fully reversible. The authors suggest the use of propofol before thiopental.