This protocol addresses the acute management of a prolonged convulsive seizure in a patient with Dravet syndrome. Prolonged convulsive seizures are a recognised and serious occurrence in this condition, requiring a clear, pre-established response plan.
When a convulsive seizure is prolonged, timely intervention is critical. The approach centres on a home rescue strategy, with early treatment initiation before the seizure becomes refractory. Individual patient factors guide the specific choice of agent and formulation within the benzodiazepine class — the full protocol details these considerations.
Management involves a home rescue medication plan with early use of a benzodiazepine for convulsive episodes. The specific agent, formulation, and individualised considerations are set out in the complete protocol — only a partial overview is provided here.
Primary goal: Cessation of the convulsive seizure.
DOI: 10.1111/epi.17274
All persons with DS need a home rescue medication (Strong).
Although there was widespread consensus regarding the early use of benzodiazepines for convulsive seizures, the specific agents and formulations should be tailored to each patient.
For prolonged convulsive seizures that persist despite benzodiazepines, either intravenous valproate or levetiracetam should be the next therapeutic choices (Strong).
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