Open AccessSeizure or syncope? A channelopathy with cardiac and cerebral manifestation
Author(s) -
Christian H. Nolte,
Rüdiger Wenzel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.10.2008.1024
Subject(s) - channelopathy , medicine , short qt syndrome , syncope (phonology) , consciousness , cardiology , levetiracetam , long qt syndrome , epilepsy , sudden cardiac death , anesthesia , qt interval , psychiatry , neuroscience , biology
A 24-year-old woman was diagnosed with long QT syndrome (LQTS) because of recurring losses of consciousness. She was implanted with a cardioverter-defibrillator, but losses of consciousness reoccurred. Genetic analysis proved LQTS. An electroencephalogram showed spontaneous generalised spikes and polyspike waves with a 3-4/s frequency. Losses of consciousness ceased only after antiepileptic treatment. We conclude that it may by worthwhile scrutinising patients with LQTS for subtle epileptic activity to find evidence for a cerebral manifestation of a disease thought to be confined to the heart.