Enhanced QT shortening and persistent tachycardia after generalized seizures.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) are a major risk factor for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We investigated whether ictal/postictal cardiac features were dependent on seizure type within individual patients.

Methods

ECG data from patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) undergoing presurgical investigation who had both complex partial seizures and secondarily GTCS during video-EEG telemetry were retrospectively reviewed. Peri-ictal heart rate (HR), corrected QT interval (QTc), HR variability, and cardiac rhythm were assessed.

Results

Twenty-five patients were included in this study. Secondarily GTCS led to higher ictal HR, persistent postictal tachycardia, and decreased postictal HR variability. Moreover, abnormal

SUBMITTER: Surges R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2872619 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature