Do alterations in inter-ictal heart rate variability predict sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

Surges R, Henneberger C, Adjei P, Scott CA, Sander JW, and Walker MC (2009) Do alterations in inter-ictal heart rate variability predict sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

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Abstract: Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) may predispose to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We ascertained whether HRV predicts SUDEP in chronic epilepsy using a case-control design and investigated parameters of inter-ictal HRV in 14 patients (7 had died from SUDEP). No HRV parameter was associated with SUDEP. Thus, although altered HRV might be involved in SUDEP, HRV parameters are not clear-cut predictors for SUDEP.

Keywords: Heart rate variability; Autonomic dysfunction; Sympathetic tone; Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; Nocturnal seizures

Context

• Case-control study of 7 SUDEP deaths and 7 controls that found no heart-rate variability characteristic that correlated with SUDEP.

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