PACU Literature Review #16

Peter-Derex L, Philippeau F, Garnier P, et al. Safety and efficacy of prophylactic levetiracetam for prevention of epileptic seizures in the acute phase of intracerebral haemorrhage (PEACH): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2022;21(9):781-791.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of early seizures after intracerebral hemorrhage reaches 30% when subclinical seizures are diagnosed by continuous EEG. Current guidelines do not recommend prophylactic antiseizure treatment in this setting

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess whether prophylactic levetiracetam would reduce the risk of acute seizures in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

STUDY DESIGN

Parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-led, phase 3 trial in three hospitals in France.

Study Intervention & Comparison

Levetiracetam 500mg IV q12h vs matching placebo

Results

Primary Outcome
- A clinical or electrographic seizure occurred in the first 72 hr in 3 (16%) patients in the levetiracetam group vs 10 (43%) in the placebo group (OR 0.16, p=0.043). Of note, all seizures recorded in this time period were electrographic
Secondary Outcomes
- Six seizures were recorded on cEEG monitoring in the levetiracetam group vs 158 in the placebo group (p=0.0021)
- Median duration of seizure on cEEG was shorter in levetiracetam group (67 sec vs 780 sec, p=0.028)
- One patient in the placebo group had an early clinical seizure (between 72 hr and 30 days) vs none in the levetiracetam group (p>0.99)

Summary

Levetiracetam might be effective in preventing acute seizures in intracerebral hemorrhage, but larger studies are needed to determine whether seizure prophylaxis improves functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

PACU Literature Review #16. PEACH Trial

Participants 396