Complications from Seizures During Video-EEG Monitoring

Abstract

Continuous video-EEG monitoring (VEM) remains the preferred diagnostic tool to classify seizure-like events and is often the first step in epilepsy surgery evaluation process. Hospital admissions for VEM are typically limited to a few days to capture the typical events of interest. To capture events, the patients are often subjected to appropriate activation procedures designed to record events in a safe and efficient manner. Tapering antiseizure medications (ASM) is one technique commonly used to provoke habitual attacks. Reducing ASM after admission to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) raises concerns about producing complications associated with lowering medication. These include status epilepticus, increased numbers of seizures and seizure clusters, and worsening severity of seizures such as provoking convulsive seizures when the habitual seizures are less severe. The patient, referring physician, and care team working in the EMU should be aware of the possibilities of complications and how to handle them when they occur.