Cardiac Structure and Function in Epilepsy Patients with Drug-Resistant Convulsive Seizures

Case Reports in Neurology

Pål H. Brekke¹  Kristina H. Haugaa¹  Stein Ørn²  Alba González³  Erik Taubøll³  Dag Aurlien⁴  Einar Hopp⁵  Silje Alvestad⁶ 

[1] Department of Cardiology, ProCardio Center for Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;Department of Cardiology, Stavanger University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;Department of Neurology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway;Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;National Centre for Epilepsy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;

关键词: sudden unexpected death in epilepsy;    cardiac mri;    drug-resistant epilepsy;    echocardiography;    epilepsy;   

DOI  :  10.1159/000522237

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

High frequency of convulsive seizures and long-lasting epilepsy are associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Structural changes in the myocardium have been described in SUDEP victims. It is speculated that these changes are secondary to frequent convulsive seizures and may predispose to SUDEP. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of chronic drug-resistant epilepsy on cardiac function and structure in patients with a high frequency of convulsive seizures. We consecutively included 21 patients (17 women, 4 men) aged 18–40 years, with at least 10 years with epilepsy and a minimum of six convulsive seizures in the last year and without a history of status epilepticus or nonepileptic events. A complete clinical examination, resting 12-lead electrocardiogram, 72-h Holter monitoring, and echocardiography were recorded in all patients. Ten patients were assessed by 3-Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Echocardiography and MRI data were compared with those from age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals. No significant changes in cardiac structure or function were found among patients with chronic drug-resistant epilepsy and high frequency of convulsive seizures. However, we cannot exclude that there are subgroups of patients who are more prone to epilepsy-associated cardiac alterations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown