Prognostic value of early electrographic biomarkers of epileptogenesis in high-risk ischaemic stroke patients

Abstract

Background and purpose: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is frequent. Better prediction of PSE would enable individualized management and improve trial design for epilepsy prevention. The aim was to assess the complementary value of continuous electroencephalography (EEG) data during the acute phase compared with clinical risk factors currently used to predict PSE. Methods: A prospective cohort of 81 patients with ischaemic stroke who received early continuous EEG monitoring was studied to assess the association of early EEG seizures, other highly epileptogenic rhythmic and periodic patterns, and regional attenuation without delta (RAWOD, an EEG pattern of stroke severity) with PSE. Clinical risk factors were investigated using the SeLECT (stroke severity; large-artery atherosclerosis; early clinical seizures; cortical involvement; territory of middle cerebral artery) scores. Results: Twelve (15%) patients developed PSE. The presence of any of the investigated patterns was associated with a risk of epilepsy of 46%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 78%. The association remained significant after adjusting for the SeLECT score (odds ratio 18.8, interquartile range 3.8–72.7). Conclusions: It was found that highly epileptogenic rhythmic and periodic patterns and RAWOD were associated with the development of PSE and complemented clinical risk factors. These findings indicate that continuous EEG provides useful information to determine patients at higher risk of developing PSE and could help individualize care.