Stroke and epileptic seizures: Current treatment and future perspectives

Abstract

Epileptic seizures can complicate the treatment of stroke and influence the prognosis. Poststroke seizures and epilepsy require individual indications and selection of treatment including a benefit-risk assessment of efficacy and possible side effects of antiictal drugs. Nowadays, after individual consideration of the indications the occurrence of an epileptic seizure does not represent a contraindication for i.v. thrombolysis or thrombectomy. In addition to trial experiences with antiictal drugs used for seizures after stroke, new approaches for possible primary prevention with antiepileptic drugs are discussed.