Cardiac asystole associated with epileptic seizures: A case report with simultaneous EEG and ECG

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Howell SJ and Blumhardt LD (1989) Cardiac asystole associated with epileptic seizures: A case report with simultaneous EEG and ECG. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 52:6 795–8.

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Abstract: Cardiac arrhythmias occurring in association with epileptic seizures are a potential source of diagnostic confusion and a possible cause of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. A case is described in which simultaneous ambulatory electroencephalography and electrocardiography revealed periods of asystole coinciding with epileptic seizures. The aystole appeared to precede obvious changes in the scalp recorded electroencephalogram (EEG), but clinical attacks and EEG seizure activity were not altered by pacemaker correction of the cardiac arrhythmias.

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  • Single-case report of 55 year old male with multiple episodes of new onset loss of consciousness with twitching of the limbs. The patient initially responded to AED and was weaned after several years. Following another loss of consciousness, workup suggested asystole preceding clinical and electrographic seizure, so a pacemaker was inserted. Although normal heart rate was attained, seizures were not affected, consistent with epileptiform activity as the original cause of both seizures and asystole, despite the earlier detection of the latter. Discusses several other reports of arrhythmia in conjunction with epilepsy.

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