The Link Between Ischemic Stroke and Seizures

The threat of seizures and epilepsy is a significant concern for patients who have had a stroke, according to a review of 41 studies published in Neurology.  

• Investigators found 35 studies that reported stroke-related seizures and 6 studies that found details on the effects of antiepileptic drugs.
• Seizures occurred early on in 3.3% of patients who had experienced a stroke.
• Late-onset seizures or epilepsy was reported in 18/1000 person-years.
• Researchers were unable to find any evidence to suggest that a specific drug was more effective among patients who had seizures after a stroke.
• Newer drugs caused fewer side effects than older medications.
• The systematic review and meta-analysis included measurement of I²statistic to evaluate heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
• Early onset and late onset seizures generated I² statistics of 92.8% and 94.1%, respectively.
• Sensitivity analyses was unable to explain the high degree of heterogeneity.

Wang JZ, Vyas MV, Saposnik G, Burneo JG. Incidence and management of seizures after ischemic stroke. Neurology. 2017;89:1220-1228.  

The threat of seizures and epilepsy is a significant concern for patients who have had a stroke, according to a review of 41 studies published in Neurology.  

• Investigators found 35 studies that reported stroke-related seizures and 6 studies that found details on the effects of antiepileptic drugs.
• Seizures occurred early on in 3.3% of patients who had experienced a stroke.
• Late-onset seizures or epilepsy was reported in 18/1000 person-years.
• Researchers were unable to find any evidence to suggest that a specific drug was more effective among patients who had seizures after a stroke.
• Newer drugs caused fewer side effects than older medications.
• The systematic review and meta-analysis included measurement of I²statistic to evaluate heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
• Early onset and late onset seizures generated I² statistics of 92.8% and 94.1%, respectively.
• Sensitivity analyses was unable to explain the high degree of heterogeneity.

Wang JZ, Vyas MV, Saposnik G, Burneo JG. Incidence and management of seizures after ischemic stroke. Neurology. 2017;89:1220-1228.  

The threat of seizures and epilepsy is a significant concern for patients who have had a stroke, according to a review of 41 studies published in Neurology.  

• Investigators found 35 studies that reported stroke-related seizures and 6 studies that found details on the effects of antiepileptic drugs.
• Seizures occurred early on in 3.3% of patients who had experienced a stroke.
• Late-onset seizures or epilepsy was reported in 18/1000 person-years.
• Researchers were unable to find any evidence to suggest that a specific drug was more effective among patients who had seizures after a stroke.
• Newer drugs caused fewer side effects than older medications.
• The systematic review and meta-analysis included measurement of I²statistic to evaluate heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
• Early onset and late onset seizures generated I² statistics of 92.8% and 94.1%, respectively.
• Sensitivity analyses was unable to explain the high degree of heterogeneity.

Wang JZ, Vyas MV, Saposnik G, Burneo JG. Incidence and management of seizures after ischemic stroke. Neurology. 2017;89:1220-1228.