Intravenous ketamine for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus: a retrospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To examine patterns of use, efficacy, and safety of intravenous ketamine for the treatment of refractory status epilepticus (RSE).

Methods: Multicenter retrospective review of medical records and electroencephalography (EEG) reports in 10 academic medical centers in North America and Europe, including 58 subjects, representing 60 episodes of RSE that were identified between 1999 and 2012. Seven episodes occurred after anoxic brain injury.

Avoidable 30-day readmissions among patients with stroke and other cerebrovascular disease.

Background: There are limited data on factors associated with 30-day readmissions and the frequency of avoidable readmissions among patients with stroke and other cerebrovascular disease.

Methods: University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) database records were used to identify patients discharged with a diagnosis of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease at a university hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009 and readmitted within 30 days to the index hospital. Logistic regression models were used to identify patient and clinical characteristics associated with 30-day readmission.

Safety and efficacy of lacosamide in the intensive care unit.

Background: Seizures are common in critically ill patients and can impact morbidity and mortality. Traditional anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in this setting are not always effective and are associated with adverse events and drug interactions. Lacosamide (LCM) is a new AED which is available in parental form although few studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of LCM in critically ill patients.