Perampanel for Status Epilepticus Prevention After Cardiac Arrest

What this Trial Is About

Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in patients who survive cardiac arrest, with seizures occurring in up to one-third of these cases. This research investigates the safety and feasibility of using perampanel to prevent post-cardiac arrest status epilepticus (PCARSE), a severe seizure condition following cardiac arrest. The trial is a pilot randomized placebo-controlled study focusing on critically ill patients admitted to intensive care after cardiac arrest. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an oral load of 24 mg perampanel followed by 8 mg daily for four more days or a matching placebo following the same schedule, totaling five days of treatment. Perampanel is a non-competitive AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist currently approved for certain seizure types but not yet studied in this specific patient group. The study includes a placebo group for comparison and aims to assess the safety of primary seizure prevention after cardiac arrest. During the study, participants will be closely monitored for safety and tolerability over seven days, with assessments of adverse events and seizure incidence. Researchers will measure seizure frequency, time to seizure control, the number of anti-seizure medications used, and the duration of anesthetic treatment for seizures. Neurological function will be evaluated up to 180 days after treatment. This comprehensive monitoring includes clinical evaluations and safety follow-up to understand perampanel's role in seizure prevention after cardiac arrest.

PeRampanel fOr Status ePilEpticus pRophylaxis Post-cardiac Arrest