Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after intracranial venous thrombosis

Kwan J, Günther A

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Summary

Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after intracranial venous thrombosis (ICVT)

Use of antiepileptic drugs to prevent seizures after blood clots block a vein or venous sinus (venous thrombosis) in the brain.

There is currently no evidence to support or refute the use of antiepileptic drugs for the prevention of seizures related to intracranial venous thrombosis.

This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 2, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This record should be cited as: Kwan J, Guenther A. Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after intracranial venous thrombosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005501. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005501.pub2.

This version first published online: July 19. 2006

Abstract

Background

Intracranial venous thrombosis (ICVT) commonly presents with seizures in the acute period, and some patients may develop recurrent seizures in the long term. The prophylactic use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the management of post-ICVT seizures is controversial and there is currently no consensus on the optimal management of post-ICVT seizures.

Objectives

To assess the effects of AEDs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures related to ICVT.
(1) Do AEDs reduce the likelihood of seizures in patients who have had an ICVT but have not had a seizure?
(2) Do AEDs reduce the likelihood of further seizures in patients who have had an ICVT and at least one seizure?

Search strategy

We aimed to identify relevant studies in the Cochrane Epilepsy Group and Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Registers. We also undertook specialised searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and MEDLINE, and checked the reference lists of articles retrieved from the searches.

Selection criteria

We considered all randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials in which patients were assigned to a treatment group (that is, receiving at least one AED) or control group (receiving placebo or no drug).

Data collection and analysis

Both review authors independently screened and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. If studies had been included, then one review author would have extracted the data and the other would have checked the extracted data.

Main results

No relevant studies were found.

Authors' conclusions

There is no evidence to support or refute the use of antiepileptic drugs for the primary or secondary prevention of seizures related to intracranial venous thrombosis. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to inform practice.

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