• Barry J Ruijter, Hanneke M Keijzer, Marleen C Tjepkema-Cloostermans, Michiel J Blans, Albertus Beishuizen, Selma C Tromp, Erik Scholten, Janneke Horn, Anne-Fleur van Rootselaar, Marjolein M Admiraal, Walter M van den Bergh, EltingJan-Willem JJJFrom the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Departments of Neurology a, Norbert A Foudraine, Francois H M Kornips, van Kranen-MastenbroekVivianne H J MVHJMFrom the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Depart, RouhlRob P WRPWFrom the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Departments of Neurology and Cl, Elsbeth C Thomeer, Walid Moudrous, Frouke A P Nijhuis, Suzanne J Booij, HoedemaekersCornelia W ECWEFrom the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Departments of Neur, Jonne Doorduin, Fabio S Taccone, Job van der Palen, van PuttenMichel J A MMJAMFrom the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Departments of Neuro, Jeannette Hofmeijer, and TELSTAR Investigators.
• From the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Technical Medical Center (B.J.R., M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P., J. Hofmeijer), and the Section of Cognition, Data, and Education (J.P.), University of Twente, and the Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (M.C.T.-C., M.J.A.M.P.), the Intensive Care Center (A.B.), and the Department of Epidemiology (J.P.), Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, the Departments of Neurology (H.M.K., J. Hofmeijer) and Intensive Care (M.J.B.), Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Departments of Intensive Care Medicine (H.M.K., C.W.E.H.) and Neurology (H.M.K., J.D.) and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior (H.M.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, and the Department of Neurology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (F.A.P.N., S.J.B.), Nijmegen, the Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (S.C.T.) and Intensive Care (E.S.), St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden (S.C.T.), the Amsterdam Coma Group (J. Horn, A.-F.R., M.M.A.), the Department of Intensive Care (J. Horn), and the Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (A.-F.R., M.M.A.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Departments of Critical Care (W.M.B.) and Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (J.W.J.E.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Departments of Intensive Care (N.A.F.) and Neurology (F.H.M.K.), VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Departments of Clinical Neurophysiology (V.H.J.M.K.-M.) and Neurology (R.P.W.R.), Maastricht University Medical Center, and the Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe and Maastricht UMC+ (V.H.J.M.K.-M., R.P.W.R.), Maastricht, and the Department of Neurology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam (E.C.T., W.M.) - all in the Netherlands; and the Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels (F.S.T.).
• N. Engl. J. Med. 2022 Feb 24; 386 (8): 724-734.

BackgroundWhether the treatment of rhythmic and periodic electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest improves outcomes is uncertain.MethodsWe conducted an open-label trial of suppressing rhythmic and periodic EEG patterns detected on continuous EEG monitoring in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a stepwise strategy of antiseizure medications to suppress this activity for at least 48 consecutive hours plus standard care (antiseizure-treatment group) or to standard care alone (control group); standard care included targeted temperature management in both groups. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome according to the score on the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale at 3 months, dichotomized as a good outcome (CPC score indicating no, mild, or moderate disability) or a poor outcome (CPC score indicating severe disability, coma, or death). Secondary outcomes were mortality, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and duration of mechanical ventilation.ResultsWe enrolled 172 patients, with 88 assigned to the antiseizure-treatment group and 84 to the control group. Rhythmic or periodic EEG activity was detected a median of 35 hours after cardiac arrest; 98 of 157 patients (62%) with available data had myoclonus. Complete suppression of rhythmic and periodic EEG activity for 48 consecutive hours occurred in 49 of 88 patients (56%) in the antiseizure-treatment group and in 2 of 83 patients (2%) in the control group. At 3 months, 79 of 88 patients (90%) in the antiseizure-treatment group and 77 of 84 patients (92%) in the control group had a poor outcome (difference, 2 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -7 to 11; P = 0.68). Mortality at 3 months was 80% in the antiseizure-treatment group and 82% in the control group. The mean length of stay in the ICU and mean duration of mechanical ventilation were slightly longer in the antiseizure-treatment group than in the control group.ConclusionsIn comatose survivors of cardiac arrest, the incidence of a poor neurologic outcome at 3 months did not differ significantly between a strategy of suppressing rhythmic and periodic EEG activity with the use of antiseizure medication for at least 48 hours plus standard care and standard care alone. (Funded by the Dutch Epilepsy Foundation; TELSTAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02056236.).Copyright © 2022 Massachusetts Medical Society.

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