Use of Diazepam in Treatment of Severe Convulsive Status Epilepticus

Abstract

The results of the treatment with parenteral diazepam (Valium) in a series of nine cases of severe convulsive status epilepticus are reported. In seven out of the nine patients immediate rapid control of seizures was obtained. In two of these control was only temporary, but in one of them this may have been due to inadequate dosage. Treatment by intravenous infusion was found to be the most effective method. No serious side-effects occurred which could with certainty be attributed to treatment with diazepam. Two patients died. In one case this was apparently due to vascular occlusion causing extensive cerebral infarction. In the second all measures used failed to control the seizures and death occurred as a result of severe brain damage. It is concluded that intravenous diazepam therapy has a useful and important part to play in the treatment of severe convulsive status epilepticus. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.