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Pentobarbital coma therapy for super-refractory status epilepticus and in-hospital mortality: an observational study Volume 23, issue 6, December 2021

TEST YOURSELF

(1) What are the previously known major side effects associated with pentobarbital coma therapy for super-refractory status epilepticus?

 

(2) How does pentobarbital infusion therapy affect the immune system, and therefore complicate the course of treatment?

 

(3) Based on this study, what kind of complication should be carefully monitored during pentobarbital coma therapy?

 

 

 

 

 

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Answers

(1) Cardiorespiratory depression, paralytic ileus, immunosuppression, electrolyte imbalance, hepatic dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathies.

 

(2) Through the increased risk of infection by e.g. ventilator-associated pneumonia; the underlying pathomechanism of this is the pentobarbital-induced reduction of phagocytic activity, inhibition of peripheral lymphocyte function, and suppressed neutrophil migration.

 

(3) Considering the high rate of septicaemia observed, infectious complications should be carefully monitored, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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