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Ictal hypoventilation contributes to cardiac arrhythmia and SUDEP: Report on two deaths in video‐EEG–monitored patients
Author(s) -
Bateman Lisa M.,
Spitz Mark,
Seyal Masud
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02513.x
Subject(s) - hypoventilation , electroencephalography , epilepsy , ictal , medicine , hypoxemia , anesthesia , cardiology , sudden death , respiratory acidosis , acidosis , respiratory system , psychiatry
Summary Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a common cause of death in patients with epilepsy, with cardiorespiratory dysfunction and a primary cessation of cerebral function proposed as causes. We report two cases of SUDEP in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy undergoing video‐EEG (electroencephalography) telemetry at two centers. Both had secondarily generalized convulsions. EEG, electrocardiography (ECG), and respiratory changes in these two patients are reported herein. Ictal/postictal hypoventilation may contribute to SUDEP with the resulting hypoxemia and acidosis leading to failure of recovery of cortical function and eventual cardiac failure.