| Abstrakt: |
Abstract Introduction Levetiracetam (LEV) is used in the setting of acute brain injury for seizure treatment or prophylaxis but its safety and efficacy in this setting is unknown. Method We retrospectively analyzed the patterns of use and safety/efficacy of LEV in 379 patients treated in the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU). We extracted from the charts clinical data including diagnosis, AED therapy before and during stay in the NSICU, complications of treatment, length of stay, and clinical outcomes (improvement, Glasgow Coma Scale, and death). We analyzed the data using binary and ordered (multi-category) logistic regression. Results Overall, our findings are that phenytoin used prior to the NSICU admission was frequently replaced with LEV monotherapy (P P ≤ 0.014). Discussion The results of this study suggest that LEV is a frequently used AED in the setting of acute brain injury and that it may be a desirable alternative to phenytoin. Prospective studies evaluating the long-term safety, efficacy and outcomes of LEV in this setting are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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