Early Seizures After Stroke: Neurology Intensive Care Unit Experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of early seizures, the affecting factors, and the prognostic effect of seizures in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and sinus venous thrombosis (SVT) examined in the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: In the neurology ICU, the records of patients followed up with AIS, ICH, and SVT within a defined time period were retrospectively examined. Results: Early seizures occurred in 48 out of 199 patients who were followed up with AIS, ICH, and SVT in the neurology ICU within the specified time period. The frequency of having early seizures was found to be higher in patients with left hemisphere lesions, cortical lesions, and those with AIS with hemorrhagic transformation. Lesion volume was found to be higher in patients with AIS who had early seizures compared with those who had AIS without seizures. Early seizures were observed in all patients with SVT who were followed up in the ICU. Conclusion: Early seizures are a common complication in patients with stroke followed up in neurology ICUs. Determination of effective factors in early seizures is important for its early diagnosis and treatment.