Fenfluramine for the treatment of status epilepticus: use in an adult with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and literature review

Background: Novel treatments are needed to control refractory status epilepticus (SE). This study aimed to assess the potential effectiveness of fenfluramine (FFA) as an acute treatment option for SE. We present a summary of clinical cases where oral FFA was used in SE. Methods: A case of an adult patient with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) who was treated with FFA due to refractory SE is presented in detail. To identify studies that evaluated the use of FFA in SE, we performed a systematic literature search. Results: Four case reports on the acute treatment with FFA of SE in children and adults with Dravet syndrome (DS) and LGS were available. We report in detail a 30-year-old woman with LGS of structural etiology, who presented with generalized tonic and dialeptic seizures manifesting at high frequencies without a return to clinical baseline constituting the diagnosis of SE. Treatment with anti-seizure medications up to lacosamide 600 mg/d, brivaracetam 300 mg/d, valproate 1,600 mg/d, and various benzodiazepines did not resolve the SE. Due to ongoing refractory SE and following an unremarkable echocardiography, treatment was initiated with FFA, with an initial dose of 10 mg/d (0.22 mg/kg body weight [bw]) and fast up-titration to 26 mg/d (0.58 mg/kg bw) within 10 days. Subsequently, the patient experienced a resolution of SE within 4 days, accompanied by a notable improvement in clinical presentation and regaining her mobility, walking with the assistance of physiotherapists. In the three cases reported in the literature, DS patients with SE were treated with FFA, and a cessation of SE was observed within a few days. No treatment-emergent adverse events were observed during FFA treatment in any of the four cases. Conclusions: Based on the reported cases, FFA might be a promising option for the acute treatment of SE in patients with DS and LGS. Observational data show a decreased SE frequency while on FFA, suggesting a potentially preventive role of FFA in these populations. Key points * We summarize four cases of refractory status epilepticus (SE) successfully treated with fenfluramine. * Refractory SE resolved after 4–7 days on fenfluramine. * Swift fenfluramine up-titration was well-tolerated during SE treatment. * Treatment-emergent adverse events on fenfluramine were not observed. * Fenfluramine might be a valuable acute treatment option for SE in Dravet and Lennox–Gastaut syndromes

Mechanical thrombectomy does not increase the risk of acute symptomatic seizures in patients with an ischaemic stroke: a propensity score matching study

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy and systemic thrombolysis are important therapies for stroke patients. However, there is disagreement about the accompanying risk of acute symptomatic seizures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with an acute ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion was performed. The patients were divided into four groups based on whether they received either mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or systemic thrombolysis (ST; group 1: MT+/ST−; group 2: MT+/ST+; group 3: MT−/ST+; group 4: MT−/ST−). Propensity score matching was conducted for each group combination (1:3, 1:4, 2:3, 2:4, 1:2, 3:4) using the covariates “NIHSS at admission”, “mRS prior to event” and “age”. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures. Results: A total of 987 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 208, 264, 169 and 346 belonged to groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Propensity score matched groups consisted of 160:160, 143:143, 156:156, 144:144, 204:204 and 165:165 patients for the comparisons 1:3, 1:4, 2:3, 2:4, 1:2 and 3:4, respectively. Based on chi-squared tests, there was no significant difference in the frequency of acute symptomatic seizures between the groups. Subgroups varied in their frequency of acute symptomatic seizures, ranging from 2.8 to 3.8%, 2.8–4.4%, 3.6–3.8% and 4.9–6.3% in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Conclusion: There was no association between MT or ST and an increased risk of acute symptomatic seizures in patients with an acute ischaemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion who were treated at a primary stroke centre

Large-vessel-occlusion in patients with previous ischemic stroke: an analysis of adherence to secondary preventive medication for different etiologies

Abstract Background Large vessel occlusion (LVO) is a severe condition that carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the importance of effective prevention strategies. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the intake of preventive medication at the time of hospitalization in a cohort of recurrent stroke patients presenting with acute LVO. Methods The study assessed the intake of either platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAI), oral anticoagulants (OAC) or statins at admission in patients with recurrent stroke and correlated it with the final classification of LVO. The frequency of those secondary preventive medication in recurrent stroke patients was defined as primary endpoint. The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge was used as a functional outcome and defined as a secondary outcome measure. Results This study included 866 patients who were treated for LVO between 2016 and 2020, of whom 160 (18.5%) had a recurrent ischemic stroke. OAC (25.6% vs. 14.1%, p < 0.01), PAI (50.0% vs. 26.0%, p < 0.01), or statin therapy (50.6% vs. 20.8%, p < 0.01) at admission were significantly more frequent in recurrent stroke patients compared to patients with a first-time stroke. Concerning LVO etiology in recurrent stroke patients, OAC at admission was taken in 46.8% of cardioembolic LVO, whereas PAI and statin at admission in macroangiopathic LVO were administered to 40.0%; neither PAI nor OAC was taken in 26.0%, 28.3%, and 31.6% of cardioembolic, macroangiopathic, or cryptogenic strokes, respectively. Regardless of stroke recurrence or etiology, there was an increase in mRS at discharge. Conclusions Despite high-quality healthcare, this study suggested a significant proportion of patients with recurrent stroke who were either non-adherent or insufficiently adherent to secondary preventive medication. Given the disability associated with LVO, improving patients’ medication adherence and identifying unknown stroke causes are crucial for effective prevention strategies