Multifactorial Predictors of Late Epileptic Seizures Related to Stroke: Evaluation of the Current Possibilities of Stratification Based on Existing Prognostic Models—A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy associated with strokes is a significant clinical and public health problem and has a negative impact on prognosis and clinical outcome. A late epileptic seizure occurring seven days after stroke is actually equated with poststroke epilepsy due to the high risk of recurrence. Predictive models evaluated in the acute phase of stroke would allow for the stratification and early selection of patients at higher risk of developing late seizures. Methods: The most relevant papers in this field were reviewed to establish multifactorial predictors of late seizures and attempt to standardize and unify them into a common prognostic model. Results: Clinical and radiological factors have become the most valuable and reproducible predictors in many reports, while data on electroencephalographic, genetic, and blood biomarkers were limited. The existing prognostic models, CAVE and SeLECT, based on relevant, readily available, and routinely assessed predictors, should be validated and improved in multicenter studies for widespread use in stroke units. Conclusions: Due to contradictory reports, a common and reliable model covering all factors is currently not available. Further research might refine forecasting models by incorporating advanced radiological neuroimaging or quantitative electroencephalographic analysis.