Convulsive status epilepticus (SE) is a life threatening condition associated even nowadays with a considerable morbidity and mortality. Both can be reduced by early treatment. The risk of permanent brain damage is directly proportional to the duration of SE. The authors describe in the submitted paper their experience with refractory SE with a prolonged duration. If recommened therapeutic procedures fail, they emphasize the necessity of general anaesthesia with barbiturates to suppress convulsive manifestations and to eliminate episodes of EEG aktivity, and possibly to achieve the burst suppression EEG pattern. The aggressiveness of pharmacotherapy depends on the patienťs tolerance EEG monitoring is essential, similarly as monitoring of levels of antiepileptics and the use of other anticonvulsants. It is also important to follow up general parameers and search for influenceable causes of the epileptic status.

        Key words: refractory convulsive status epilepticus, thiopental anaesthesia, EEG monitoring