Status epilepticus: Clinical features and pathophysiology

Status epilepticus (SE) has been defined as continuous seizure activity las ting at least 5 minutes or two or more discrete seizures between which ther e is incomplete recovery of consciousness. SE is a medical emergency that r equires prompt treatment to avoid neurologic morbidity. The etiologies of S E are similar to those for individual generalized convulsive seizures. The pathophysiology of SE is also similar to that of an individual seizure even t; however, loss of the inhibitory mechanisms responsible for the cessation of an isolated event is suspected. Systemic effects of continuous seizure activity can be damaging if not identified and treated promptly, This artic le discusses the clinical and physiologic features of SE as well as the pat hophysiology of this disorder.