Super Refractory Status Epilepticus Improved After Emergency Use of Ganaxolone: Case Report.

Abstract

We present a case of a 34-year-old man with epilepsy who developed super refractory status epilepticus in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia in whom aggressive therapy with multiple parenteral, enteral, and non-pharmacologic interventions were utilized without lasting improvement in clinical examination or electroencephalogram (EEG). The patient presented with multiple recurrences of electrographic status epilepticus throughout a prolonged hospital stay. Emergency use authorization was obtained for intravenous ganaxolone, a neuroactive steroid that is a potent modulator of both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA_A receptors. Following administration of intravenous ganaxolone according to a novel dosing paradigm, the patient showed sustained clinical and electrographic improvement.