Predictors of recurrence and drug resistance of seizures after ischemic stroke

Objective To investigate the predictors of recurrence and drug resistance of seizures after ischemic stroke. Methods The clinical data of the consecutive patients with the first seizures after ischemic stroke were enrolled retrospectively. The rates of recurrence and drug resistance of seizures were calculated. The survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze the predictors of recurrence and drug resistance of seizures. Results A total of 74 consecutive patients with first seizures after ischemic stroke were enrolled, including 29 women and 45 men (aged 66.64±11.50 years). There were 26 patients with early seizures and 48 patients with delayed seizures. Delayed seizures (odds ratio [OR] 2.556; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-5.88; P=0.027) and partial seizures (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.29-10.48; P=0.015) were the predictors of seizures recurrence after ischemic stroke. Early seizures was an independent predictor for drug-resistance (OR 6.20, 95% CI 2.04-18.84; P=0.001). Conclusions The patients with delayed seizures and partial seizures are prone to recurrence. The patients with early seizures are easy to develop drug-resistance. Key words: Stroke; Brain Ischemia; Seizures; Anticonvulsants; Drug Resistance; Recurrence