Tratamiento anestésico del paciente adulto epiléptico no neuroquirúrgico

Epilepsy is a common disease affecting between 1% and 2% of the general population. The incidence increases with age. Given the complicated etiology and pathogenesis of this disease, epileptic patients of all ages may require anesthesia. The perioperative care of these patients involves a number of special considerations, although the main issues to deal with are pharmacologic. This review gives an overview of the etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of epilepsy and describes the general characteristics of antiepileptic drug therapy. The anesthetic implications of chronic treatment with antiepileptic agents and the interactions between these drugs and common anesthetics are discussed in more detail