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Hamed SA, El Hadad AF, Aladawy MA. The effect of epilepsy and antiseizure medications on cardiac autonomic functions in children with epilepsy. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:393-401. [PMID: 38349326 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2318469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autonomic manifestations have been frequently studied in adults with epilepsy. Here, we evaluated cardiac autonomic (ANS) functions in children with epilepsy in the interictal period and determined the risks for their dysfunctions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study included 60 patients (boys = 25; girls = 35 age: 14.53 ± 2.54 yrs) and 25 controls. Patients were well-controlled on antiseizure medications (ASMs). The battery of testing included measuring resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), 30:15 ratio, HR variability (HRV) response to deep breathing, Valsalva ratio and BP changes in response to standing, isometric exercise and cold. RESULTS Dizziness was reported in 25%. Autonomic dysfunctions were found in 45% (n = 27). Manifestations included high frequencies of abnormal 30:15 ratio (22%), HRV responses to deep breathing (45%), Valsalava ratio (45%), and BP responses to standing (35%), isometric exercise (27%) and cold (27%), indicating parasympathetic and sympathetic hypofunctions. There were positive correlations between parasympathetic and sympathetic dysfunctions. Logistic analysis showed that the durations of epilepsy and ASMs therapy were associated with ANS dysfunctions [95% CI: 0.895-4.719, p = 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS Parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic hypofunctions are common in children with epilepsy. This could be due to the depressant effect of sodium channel blocker ASMs on central and/or cardiac autonomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherifa Ahmed Hamed
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ali Farrag El Hadad
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Al Azhar University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
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Leosuthamas D, Limotai C, Unwanatham N, Rattanasiri S. Is anti-seizure medication the culprit of SUDEP? Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3659-3668. [PMID: 37248425 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate variability (HRV) reduction is a potential biomarker for sudden cardiac death. This study aimed to study the effects of anti-seizure medications (ASMs), adjusted with reported factors associated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) on HRV parameters. METHODS We recruited patients who were admitted in our epilepsy monitoring unit between January 2013 and December 2021. Two 5-min electrocardiogram epochs during wakefulness and sleep were selected in each patient. HRV analysis with Python® software was performed. The imputed datasets were used for linear regression analysis to assess association between each ASM item and all HRV parameters. The effects of ASM on HRV parameters were subsequently adjusted with the significant clinical characteristics and the concomitant use of other ASMs, respectively. RESULTS Carbamazepine (CBZ), levetiracetam (LEV), lamotrigine (LTG), and clonazepam (CZP) were statistically significantly associated with changes of sleep HRV parameters. Only CBZ showed negative effects with reduction in HRV, evidenced as lower standard deviation of RR interval (SDNN), even when adjusted with concomitant use of other ASMs (p = 0.045) and had a trend of significance when adjusted with significant clinical characteristics of concurrent taking of beta-blocker drug (p = 0.052). LEV and CZP showed opposite effects with increased HRV even when adjusted with significant clinical characteristics and the concomitant use of other ASMs. CONCLUSIONS CBZ showed negative effects on HRV. We proposed that CBZ should be cautiously used in patients with known risks for SUDEP. In addition, HRV assessment should be performed prior to commencing CBZ and re-performed in follow-up in cases of prolonged use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danist Leosuthamas
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chusak Limotai
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy Center of Excellence (CCEC), King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Division of Neurology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, 1873 Seventh Floor Bhumisiri Building, Rama IV Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nattawut Unwanatham
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasivimol Rattanasiri
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Taş S, Taş Ü. Effects of COVID-19 on the Autonomic Cardiovascular System: Heart Rate Variability and Turbulence in Recovered Patients. Tex Heart Inst J 2023; 50:e227952. [PMID: 37605870 PMCID: PMC10660136 DOI: 10.14503/thij-22-7952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 may be a risk factor for developing cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Data are limited, however, on the association between heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, and COVID-19. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular autonomic system in patients with persistent symptoms after recovering from COVID-19 and to determine whether these patients showed changes in ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring. METHODS Fifty-one adults who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and presented with persistent symptoms to the cardiology outpatient clinic after clinical recovery between April and June 2021 were included. Patients were prospectively followed for 6 months. The patients were evaluated at the time of first application to the cardiology outpatient clinic and at 6 months after presentation. Ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring and echocardiographic findings were compared with a control group of 95 patients. RESULTS Patients in the post-COVID-19 group had significantly higher mean (SD) turbulence onset (0.39% [1.82%] vs -1.37% [2.93%]; P < .001) and lower heart rate variability than those in the control group at both initial and 6-month evaluations. The post-COVID-19 group had no significant differences in echocardiographic findings compared with the control group at 6 months, except for right ventricle late diastolic mitral annular velocity (P = .034). Furthermore, turbulence onset was significantly correlated with turbulence slope (r = -0.232; P = .004), heart rate variability, and the parameters of left (r = -0.194; P=.049) and right (r = 0.225; P = .02) ventricular diastolic function. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 may cause cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Heart rate variability and turbulence parameters can be used to recognize cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but have persistent symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Taş
- Department of Cardiology, Manisa City Hospital, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ümmü Taş
- Department of Cardiology, Manisa Merkezefendi State Hospital, Manisa, Turkey
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Kerkutluoglu M, Gunes H, Iyigun U, Dagli M, Doganer A. Is the Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on Heart Rate Variability Permanent? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050852. [PMID: 37241084 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The risk of autonomic dysfunction with COVID-19 vaccines used worldwide in the COVID-19 pandemic remains a topic of debate. Heart rate variability has a number of parameters that can be used to assess autonomic nervous system dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) on heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system parameters, and the duration of the effect. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 healthy individuals who visited an outpatient clinic to receive the COVID-19 vaccination were included in this prospective observational study. Heart rate variability parameters were measured before vaccination and on days 2 and 10 after vaccination. SDNN, rMSSD and pNN50 values were evaluated for time series analyses, and LF, HF, and LF/HV values for frequency-dependent analyses. Results: The SDNN and rMSDD values declined significantly on day 2 after vaccination, while the pNN50 and LF/HF values increased significantly on day 10. The values at pre-vaccination and at day 10 were comparable. The pNN50 and LF/HF values declined significantly on day 2 and increased significantly on day 10. The values at pre-vaccination and at day 10 were comparable. Conclusions: This study showed that the decline in HRV observed with COVID-19 vaccination was temporary, and that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination did not cause permanent autonomic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Kerkutluoglu
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gunes
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Iyigun
- Department of Cardiology, Hatay Training and Research Hospital, Hatay 3100, Turkey
| | - Musa Dagli
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey
| | - Adem Doganer
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey
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Athira SB, Pal P, Nair PP, Nanda N, Aghoram R. Cardiovascular autonomic function and baroreflex sensitivity in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 138:109013. [PMID: 36525923 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is often associated with autonomic manifestations. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of mortality in epilepsy. Cardiac disturbances and autonomic dysfunction are the potential mechanisms behind SUDEP. Though heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic function tests are well studied in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, there is a paucity of data on baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), a better marker of cardiac mortality in this population. We aimed to study the interictal cardiac autonomic function and BRS in people living with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) individuals and thirty healthy volunteers were recruited. Heart rate variability at rest, heart rate and blood pressure (BP) at rest, during deep breathing, postural change, BP response to isometric handgrip exercise, and baroreflex sensitivity were recorded in all study participants. The results were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS Compared to controls, the resting heart rate, HRV, parasympathetic reactivity test, and BRS significantly differed in people living with drug-resistant TLE. Time-domain indices including SDNN (p < 0.001), RMSSD (p < 0.001), NN50 (p < 0.001), and pNN50 (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the patients compared to controls. In frequency-domain indices, the total power was reduced (p < 0.001) in drug-resistant TLE. The parasympathetic reactivity such as changes in heart rate during deep breathing (E: I) (p < 0.02) and postural change (30:15) (p < 0.005) were significantly reduced in the patients. Baroreflex sensitivity was also significantly reduced in the drug-resistant TLE group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The present study findings are suggestive of parasympathetic dysfunction in drug-resistant TLE. Reduced HRV and BRS may increase the risk of SUDEP in people living with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Athira
- Department of Physiology, JPMER, Puducherry 605006, India.
| | - Pravati Pal
- Department of Physiology, JPMER, Puducherry 605006, India.
| | - Pradeep P Nair
- Department of Neurology, JPMER, Puducherry 605006, India.
| | - Nivedita Nanda
- Department of Biochemistry, JPMER, Puducherry 605006, India.
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van den Bongard F, Coenen J, Reinsberger C. Fitness, performance, and cardiac autonomic responses to exercise in people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 135:108869. [PMID: 36037579 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
People with epilepsy (PWE) are less fit and have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Imbalances within the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are believed to mediate some of those effects. However, results are mostly derived from patients whose seizures are refractory to medical therapy. In this study, an exhaustive bicycle ergometer test was delivered to 25 PWE (19 seizure free in the last 6 months) recruited in a community-based setting and 25 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls. During the exercise test a 12-channel ECG was recorded and spirometry was carried out to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) as the gold standard to assess fitness. Before and after exercise, heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA) were measured along with an electroencephalogram (EEG). Blood samples were collected to determine anti-seizure drug (ASD) serum levels and physical activity of daily living was evaluated via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). People with epilepsy and healthy controls were similarly fit and physically active. However, PWE had a lower maximum heart rate, a lower heart rate reserve, and a lower chronotropic index. The ratio between low- to high-frequency HRV changes (LF/HF ratio) was lower in PWE. Two patients with idiopathic genetic epilepsies revealed generalized interictal epileptiform discharges only after, but not before exercise. However, post-exercise EEG measurement was three times longer than pre-exercise and those patients did not report exercise induced seizures in the history. Besides epileptogenesis, anti-seizure medications may also contribute to those autonomic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Coenen
- Institute of Sports Medicine, Paderborn University, Germany
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Halimeh M, Yang Y, Sheehan T, Vieluf S, Jackson M, Loddenkemper T, Meisel C. Wearable device assessments of antiseizure medication effects on diurnal patterns of electrodermal activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 129:108635. [PMID: 35278938 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Patient-generated health data provide a great opportunity for more detailed ambulatory monitoring and more personalized treatments in many diseases. In epilepsy, robust diagnostics applicable to the ambulatory setting are needed as diagnosis and treatment decisions in current clinical practice are primarily reliant on patient self-reports, which are often inaccurate. Recent work using wearable devices has focused on methods to detect and forecast epileptic seizures. Whether wearable device signals may also contain information about the effect of antiseizure medications (ASMs), which may ultimately help to better monitor their efficacy, has not been evaluated yet. Here we systematically investigated the effect of ASMs on different data modalities (electrodermal activity, EDA, heart rate, HR, and heart rate variability, HRV) simultaneously recorded by a wearable device in 48 patients with epilepsy over several days in the epilepsy long-term monitoring unit at a tertiary hospital. All signals exhibited characteristic diurnal variations. HRV, but not HR or EDA-based metrics, were reduced by ASMs. By assessing multiple signals related to the autonomic nervous system simultaneously, our results provide novel insights into the effects of ASMs on the sympathetic and parasympathetic interplay in the setting of epilepsy and indicate the potential of easy-to-wear wearable devices for monitoring ASM action. Future work using longer data may investigate these metrics on multidien cycles and their utility for detecting seizures, assessing seizure risk, or informing treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Halimeh
- Computational Neurology, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Germany
| | - Yonghua Yang
- Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Pediatric Department, Shaanxi, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Christian Meisel
- Computational Neurology, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Germany.
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Pasini E, Riguzzi P, Michelucci R. Iatrogenic ictal asystole. J Neurol Sci 2022; 434:120183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Jain S, Nair PP, Aghoram R, Wadwekar V, Wagh S, Balachandran M, Indira Priya D, Meher R, Nandwani S, Sreekumaran Nair N. Interictal autonomic changes in persons with epilepsy (PWE) on carbamazepine (CBZ) versus other anti-seizure drug monotherapy: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 125:108396. [PMID: 34788731 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological conditions and carbamazepine is a commonly used anti-seizure drug (ASD), especially in developing nations. There are reports of carbamazepine causing atrioventricular conduction defects and autonomic dysfunctions and its implication in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is controversial. We planned this study to assess the effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) on autonomic function compared to other ASDs in persons with epilepsy. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic functions in persons with epilepsy (PWE) on CBZ versus other anti-seizure monotherapy using tests of heart rate variability including its time-, frequency- and non-linear domains, heart rate response to deep breathing, valsalva maneuver, and blood pressure response to isometric handgrip. RESULTS Persons with epilepsy on CBZ monotherapy did not show a significant reduction in the time domain parameter SDRR compared to other ASDs used as monotherapy (mean ± SD, 38.04 ± 18.75 ms vs 44.37 ± 20.35 ms; p = 0.125). However, PWE on CBZ had significantly lower time-domain measurements including RMSSD (mean ± SD 31.95 ± 17.29 ms vs 42.02 ± 22.29 ms; p = 0.018), SDSD (mean ± SD 31.91 ± 17.26 ms vs 41.96 ± 22.27 ms; p 0.018), and pNN50 [median (IQR) 05.45(0.69-25.37) vs 16.38(2.32-36.83); p = 0.030]. Frequency domain measures of HRV, heart rate responses to deep breathing, valsalva maneuver and tilt-testing and BP responses to valsalva and tilt-testing were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION The findings of our study indicate reduced parasympathetic activity in persons on CBZ monotherapy compared to other ASDs, which may pose risk of SUDEP. Carbamazepine may thus be avoided in those at risk of autonomic dysfunction and SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourabh Jain
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Pradeep P Nair
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
| | - Rajeswari Aghoram
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Vaibhav Wadwekar
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Sathish Wagh
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Mani Balachandran
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Done Indira Priya
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Rajesh Meher
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Saurabh Nandwani
- Department of Neurology, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - N Sreekumaran Nair
- Department of Biostatistics, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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Heart rate variability in patients with refractory epilepsy: The influence of generalized convulsive seizures. Epilepsy Res 2021; 178:106796. [PMID: 34763267 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with epilepsy, mainly drug-resistant, have reduced heart rate variability (HRV), linked to an increased risk of sudden death in various other diseases. In this context, it could play a role in SUDEP. Generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) are one of the most consensual risk factors for SUDEP. Our objective was to assess the influence of GCS in HRV parameters in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 121 patients with refractory epilepsy admitted to our Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. All patients underwent a 48-hour Holter recording. Only patients with GCS were included (n = 23), and we selected the first as the index seizure. We evaluated HRV (AVNN, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, LF, HF, and LF/HF) in 5-min epochs (diurnal and nocturnal baselines; preictal - 5 min before the seizure; ictal; postictal - 5 min after the seizure; and late postictal - >5 h after the seizure). These data were also compared with normative values from a healthy population (controlling for age and gender). RESULTS We included 23 patients, with a median age of 36 (min-max, 16-55) years and 65% were female. Thirty percent had cardiovascular risk factors, but no previously known cardiac disease. HRV parameters AVNN, RMSSD, pNN50, and HF were significantly lower in the diurnal than in the nocturnal baseline, whereas the opposite occurred with LF/HF and HR. Diurnal baseline parameters were inferior to the normative population values (which includes only diurnal values). We found significant differences in HRV parameters between the analyzed periods, especially during the postictal period. All parameters but LF/HF suffered a reduction in that period. LF/HF increased in that period but did not reach statistical significance. Visually, there was a tendency for a global reduction in our patients' HRV parameters, namely AVNN, RMSSD, and pNN50, in each period, comparing with those from a normative healthy population. No significant differences were found in HRV between diurnal and nocturnal seizures, between temporal lobe and extra-temporal-lobe seizures, between seizures with and without postictal generalized EEG suppression, or between seizures of patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors. SIGNIFICANCE/CONCLUSION Our work reinforces the evidence of autonomic cardiac dysfunction in patients with refractory epilepsy, at baseline and mainly in the postictal phase of a GCS. Those changes may have a role in some SUDEP cases. By identifying patients with worse autonomic cardiac function, HRV could fill the gap of a lacking SUDEP risk biomarker.
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11
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Erbay G, Ceyhun G. Is heart rate variability a risk factor for premature ejaculation? Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75:e14699. [PMID: 34343389 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess the parameters of heart rate variability, which is an indicator of the change in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, in individuals with premature ejaculation (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was performed by comparing 40 patients with PE (mean age, 31.2 ± 4.1 years) and 40 healthy individuals (mean age, 30.4 ± 4.8 years) without PE from May 2018 to December 2019. HRV parameters were compared between men with PE and healthy controls in 24-hour heart rhythm Holter examination. RESULTS In the time domain analysis, which is a subgroup of HRV, square root of differences between consecutive normal NN intervals (RMSSD), which is an indicator of parasympathetic activity, was lower in patients with PE compared with controls (P = .025). Moreover, within the frequency domain analysis, high frequency (HF), another indicator of parasympathetic activity, was lower in patients compared with controls (P = .032). Finally, the LF/HF ratio, reflecting sympathetic/parasympathetic activity ratio, was significantly higher in patients compared with controls (P = .008). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LF/HF ratio is independently associated with PE (P = .005). The ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of LF/HF above 2.7 predicted PE at a sensitivity of 77.5% and specificity of 82.5% (positive predictive value: 81.5% and negative predictive value: 78.5%). CONCLUSION Different HRV parameters were exhibited in the comparison of patients with PE and normal controls. It suggests that the change in HRV parameters will be an indicator of imbalance in ANS and this imbalance may cause PE. Therefore, HRV analysis can be a diagnostic tool to assess altered ANS activity in patients with PE and may be considered as a rapid screening tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Güven Erbay
- Urology Clinic, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University Faculty of Medicine, Karaman, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Ceyhun
- Department of Cardiology, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey
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Yeh WC, Lin HC, Chuang YC, Hsu CY. Exploring factors associated with interictal heart rate variability in patients with medically controlled focal epilepsy. Seizure 2021; 92:24-28. [PMID: 34416420 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the balance between the functional outputs of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It is lower in patients with epilepsy than in the healthy controls. However, HRV has been inadequately studied in different patient subgroups with medically controlled epilepsy. Hence, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with interictal HRV in patients with medically controlled epilepsy. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 54 patients (24 males and 30 females) with medically controlled focal epilepsy who only received monotherapy to eliminate the confounding effect of different antiseizure medications (ASMs). Patients with major systemic or psychiatric disorder comorbidities were excluded. For HRV analysis, electroencephalography and 5-minute well-qualified electrocardiogram segment recording were conducted during stage N1 or N2 sleep. In addition, the association between age, gender, seizure onset type, ASMs, and the time domain and frequency-domain HRV measures was analyzed. RESULTS HRV negatively correlated with advanced age. Patients with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure (FBTCS) had a significantly lower HRV than focal impaired awareness seizures (FIAS). HRV was not associated with any gender and ASMs. CONCLUSIONS HRV negatively correlated with age, and patients with FBTCS had a decreased HRV. Thus, these patients may have a declining autonomic function. Therefore, different seizure types may carry different risks of autonomic dysfunction in patients with medically controlled focal epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Yeh
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st. Road, Kaohsiung City 80754, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung City 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Chang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Health and Welfare Ministry Pingtung Hospital, No.270, Ziyou Rd., Pingtung City, Pingtung County 900, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chung Chuang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung, University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yao Hsu
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No.100, Tzyou 1st Rd., Kaohsiung City 80754, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical, University, Kaohsiung City 80708, Taiwan..
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Hödl S, Olbert E, Mahringer C, Struhal W, Carrette E, Meurs A, Gadeyne S, Dauwe I, Goossens L, Raedt R, Boon P, Vonck K. Pre-ictal heart rate variability alterations in focal onset seizures and response to vagus nerve stimulation. Seizure 2021; 86:175-180. [PMID: 33636552 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective and well-known treatment for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients since 1997, yet prediction of treatment response before implantation is subject of ongoing research. Neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies investigating the vagal afferent network in resting state documented that differences in between epilepsy patients were related to treatment response. This study investigated whether an event-related parameter, pre-ictal heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with response to VNS therapy. METHODS DRE patients underwent video-electroencephalography (EEG) recording before VNS implantation. HRV parameters (time, non-linear and frequency domain) were assessed for every seizure during two 10 min timeframes: baseline (60 min before seizure onset) and pre-ictal (10 min before seizure onset). Pre-ictal HRV parameter alterations were correlated with VNS response after one year of VNS therapy and seizure characteristics (temporal/extratemporal, left/right or bilateral). RESULTS 104 seizures from 22 patients were evaluated. Eleven patients were VNS responders with a seizure frequency reduction of ≥ 50 % after one year of VNS. In VNS responders no changes in HRV parameters were found while in VNS non-responders the time domain and non-linear HRV variables decreased significantly (p = 0.024, p = 0.005, p = 0.005) during the pre-ictal time frame. 10/11 VNS non-responders had a seizure lateralization to the left compared to 4/11 VNS responders. CONCLUSION VNS non-responders were characterized by a significant decrease of pre-ictal HRV (time domain/non-linear variables) suggesting a sudden autonomic imbalance probably due to an impaired central autonomic function that makes it at the same time unlikely to respond to VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hödl
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Elisabeth Olbert
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Tulln, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Tulln, Austria
| | - Christoph Mahringer
- Institute of Signal Processing, Kepler University Hospital, Med Campus III., Linz, Austria
| | - Walter Struhal
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Tulln, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Tulln, Austria
| | - Evelien Carrette
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alfred Meurs
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Gadeyne
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Dauwe
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lut Goossens
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul Boon
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Department of Neurology, 4Brain, Institute for Neuroscience, Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epilepsy is associated with autonomic dysfunction. Here, we provide an up-to-date review on measures of interictal autonomic function, focusing on heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and electrodermal activity (EDA). RECENT FINDINGS Resting HRV, BRS and EDA are altered in patients with epilepsy compared with healthy controls. A larger body of work is available for HRV compared with BRS and EDA, and points to interictal HRV derangements across a wide range of epilepsies, including focal, generalized, and combined generalized and focal epilepsies. HRV alterations are most pronounced in temporal lobe epilepsy, Dravet syndrome and drug-resistant and chronic epilepsies. There are conflicting data on the effect of antiseizure medications on measures of interictal autonomic function. However, carbamazepine has been associated with decreased HRV. Epilepsy surgery and vagus nerve stimulation do not appear to have substantial impact on measures of interictal autonomic function but well designed studies are lacking. SUMMARY Patients with epilepsy, particularly those with longstanding uncontrolled seizures, have measurable alterations of resting autonomic function. These alterations may be relevant to the increased risk of premature mortality in epilepsy, including sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, which warrants investigation in future research.
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15
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Autonomic functions in focal epilepsy: A comparison between lacosamide and carbamazepine monotherapy. J Neurol Sci 2020; 418:117095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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16
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Dono F, Evangelista G, Frazzini V, Vollono C, Carrarini C, Russo M, Ferrante C, Di Stefano V, Marchionno LP, De Angelis MV, Faustino M, Bonanni L, Onofrj M, Sensi SL, Anzellotti F. Interictal Heart Rate Variability Analysis Reveals Lateralization of Cardiac Autonomic Control in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2020; 11:842. [PMID: 32922353 PMCID: PMC7456848 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The temporal lobe, a critical hub for cognition, also plays a central role in the regulation of autonomic cardiovascular functions. Lesions in this area are usually associated with abnormalities in the regulation of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). The analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) is useful to evaluate the cardiac parasympathetic nervous system activity. This study aims at comparing HRV changes occurring in two groups of patients suffering from Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE). To that aim, we evaluated patients differentiated by the right or left location of the epileptic foci. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two adult patients with a diagnosis of TLE were enrolled. Each patient underwent a 20-min EEG + EKG recording in resting state. According to the localization of epileptic focus, patients were divided into two subgroups: right TLE (R-TLE) and left TLE (L-TLE). HRV parameters were calculated with a short-lasting analysis of EKG recordings. Time-domain and frequency domain-related, as well as non-linear analysis, parameters, were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared to the R-TLE group, L-TLE subjects showed a significant decrease in low frequency (LF) (p < 0.01) and low frequency/high-frequency ratio (LF/HF) (p < 0.001) as well as increased HF values (p < 0.01), a parameter indicative of the presence of an increased cardiac vagal tone. These results were also confirmed in the subgroup analysis that took into account the seizure types, responses to antiepileptic drugs, seizure frequencies, and etiology. Conclusions: The main finding of the study is that, compared to R-TLE, L-TLE is associated with increased cardiac vagal tone. These results indicate that patients with TLE exhibit a lateralized cardiac autonomic control. L-TLE patients may have a lower risk of developing cardiac dysfunctions and less susceptible to develop Sudden Death for Epilepsy (SUDEP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giacomo Evangelista
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valerio Frazzini
- AP-HP, Epilepsy Unit, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, and Sorbonne University, Paris, France.,Brain and Spine Institute (INSERM UMRS1127, CNRS UMR7225, Sorbonne Université), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Catello Vollono
- Unit of Neurophysiopathology and Sleep Medicine, Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, IRCCS Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carrarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Camilla Ferrante
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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17
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Barranco R, Caputo F, Molinelli A, Ventura F. Review on post-mortem diagnosis in suspected SUDEP: Currently still a difficult task for Forensic Pathologists. J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 70:101920. [PMID: 32090969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.101920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) represents the predominant cause of premature deaths in young adults with epilepsy and is more common with patients with poorly controlled and generalized convulsive seizures. It is reported that there are 1,16 cases for every 1000 subjects affected with epilepsy. This review takes stock of the current problems and issues in the autopsy of cases of sudden death with epileptic people. For this purpose, all the possible findings of post-mortem examinations reported in the literature were analyzed and summarized, which can currently be considered useful for autopsy diagnoses as well as in the comprehension of the physiopathology of SUDEP. The enormous limitation of forensic pathology studies is the complete lack of a specific SUDEP diagnostic marker. Only in a few cases was it possible to find pathological signs of the brain that would clarify epilepsy-related deaths. Genetic research has tracked down variants of neurocardiac genes of ion channels in a restricted percentage of suspected SUDEP cases. The actual pathogenicity test requires an in-depth statistical analysis in order to prove there is a real excess of variants and evidence that the mutation alters the function. Despite scientific efforts, it is often difficult to distinguish SUDEP from other causes of sudden death. For these reasons, it will be necessary to create an international standard SUDEP death scene investigation and postmortem examination protocols. Further future studies of immunohistochemistry or genetics may help and may facilitate post-mortem diagnosis in cases of presumed SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Barranco
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Fiorella Caputo
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Molinelli
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Ventura
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy.
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18
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Nass RD, Hampel KG, Elger CE, Surges R. Blood Pressure in Seizures and Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2019; 10:501. [PMID: 31139142 PMCID: PMC6527757 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we summarize the current knowledge of neurally mediated blood pressure (BP) control and discuss how recently described epilepsy- and seizure-related BP alterations may contribute to premature mortality and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Although people with epilepsy display disturbed interictal autonomic function with a shift toward predominant sympathetic activity, prevalence of arterial hypertension is similar in people with and without epilepsy. BP is transiently increased in association with most types of epileptic seizures but may also decrease in some, illustrating that seizure activity can cause both a decrease and increase of BP, probably because of stimulation or inhibition of distinct central autonomic function by epileptic activity that propagates into different neuronal networks of the central autonomic nervous system. The principal regulatory neural loop for short-term BP control is termed baroreflex, mainly involving peripheral sensors and brain stem nuclei. The baroreflex sensitivity (BRS, expressed as change of interbeat interval per change in BP) is intact after focal seizures, whereas BRS is markedly impaired in the early postictal period following generalized convulsive seizures (GCS), possibly due to metabolically mediated muscular hyperemia in skeletal muscles, a massive release of catecholamines and compromised brain stem function. Whilst most SUDEP cases are probably caused by a cardiorespiratory failure during the early postictal period following GCS, a profoundly disturbed BRS may allow a life-threatening drop of systemic BP in the aftermath of GCS, as recently reported in a patient as a plausible cause of SUDEP in a few patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Nass
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Rainer Surges
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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19
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Myers KA, Sivathamboo S, Perucca P. Heart rate variability measurement in epilepsy: How can we move from research to clinical practice? Epilepsia 2018; 59:2169-2178. [PMID: 30345509 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Our objective was to critically evaluate the literature surrounding heart rate variability (HRV) in people with epilepsy and to make recommendations as to how future research could be directed to facilitate and accelerate integration into clinical practice. We reviewed relevant HRV publications including those involving human subjects with seizures. HRV has been studied in patients with epilepsy for more than 30 years and, overall, patients with epilepsy display altered interictal HRV, suggesting a shift in autonomic balance toward sympathetic dominance. This derangement appears more severe in those with temporal lobe epilepsy and drug-resistant epilepsy. Normal diurnal variation in HRV is also disturbed in at least some people with epilepsy, but this aspect has received less study. Some therapeutic interventions, including vagus nerve stimulation and antiepileptic medications, may partially normalize altered HRV, but studies in this area are sometimes contradictory. During seizures, the changes in HRV may be complex, but the general trend is toward a further increase in sympathetic overactivity. Research in HRV in people with epilepsy has been limited by inconsistent experimental protocols and studies that are often underpowered. HRV measurement has the potential to aid clinical epilepsy management in several possible ways. HRV may be useful in predicting which patients are likely to benefit from surgical interventions such as vagus nerve stimulation and focal cerebral resection. As well, HRV could eventually have utility as a biomarker of risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). However, at present, the inconsistent measurement protocols used in research are hindering translation into clinical practice. A minimum protocol for HRV evaluation, to be used in all studies involving epilepsy patients, is necessary to eventually allow HRV to become a useful tool for clinicians. We propose a straightforward protocol, involving 5-minute measurements of root mean square of successive differences in wakefulness and light sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Myers
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shobi Sivathamboo
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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20
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Lack of heart rate variability during sleep-related apnea in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)—an indirect marker of SUDEP? Sleep Breath 2017; 21:163-172. [DOI: 10.1007/s11325-016-1453-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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21
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Meghana A, Sriranjini SJ, Sathyaprabha T, Sanjib S, Prathyusha V, Satishchandra P. Autonomic function in reflex and non-reflex epilepsy--an exploratory study. Acta Neurol Scand 2016; 133:459-65. [PMID: 26369268 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Seizures are known to affect diverse areas of the Central Autonomic Network (CAN) resulting in varied autonomic symptoms. The objectives of the study were to characterize neuro-cardiac autonomic regulation in hot water epilepsy (HWE) with or without spontaneous seizure, and to analyze the effect of Carbamazepine (CBZ). METHODS Seventy patients of HWE [42 drug-naïve 'HWE only' and 28 'HWE with spontaneous complex partial seizure (CPS),' on CBZ] and 40 spontaneous CPS on CBZ were recruited after informed consent. Fifty healthy volunteers served as control. Conventional cardiac autonomic function tests, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Blood Pressure Variability (BPV), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were performed. RESULTS Significant dysfunction was evidenced in most of the autonomic function parameters in all the epilepsy subgroups when compared with controls. Significant reduction in the parasympathetic activity in HWE patients was observed. Significant impairment of short-term fluctuation of blood pressure in 'HWE with spontaneous CPS' compared to 'healthy volunteers' was detected. Compared to 'HWE only', 'HWE with spontaneous CPS' showed impaired sympathovagal balance. The BRS were also altered in 'HWE with spontaneous CPS' compared to 'HWE only'. The comparison of 'spontaneous CPS' with 'HWE with spontaneous CPS' and 'HWE only' showed reduced parasympathetic and sympathetic activities. CONCLUSION Both cardiovascular reflexes and autonomic cardiovascular regulation were altered in HWE, more so in 'HWE with spontaneous seizures'. Compared to those on CBZ, drug naïve had severe effect on vagal tone and CBZ did not alter cardiac autonomic functions in reflex as well as in non-reflex epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Meghana
- Department of Neurophysiology; National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); Bangalore India
| | - S. J. Sriranjini
- MS Ramaiah Indic Center for Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (MSR-ICAIM); Bangalore India
| | - T. Sathyaprabha
- Department of Neurophysiology; National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); Bangalore India
| | - S. Sanjib
- Department of Neurology; National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); Bangalore India
| | - V. Prathyusha
- Department of Biostatistics; National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); Bangalore India
| | - P. Satishchandra
- Department of Neurology; National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS); Bangalore India
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22
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Hookana E, Ansakorpi H, Kortelainen ML, Junttila MJ, Kaikkonen KS, Perkiömäki J, Huikuri HV. Antiepileptic medications and the risk for sudden cardiac death caused by an acute coronary event: a prospective case-control study. Ann Med 2016; 48:111-7. [PMID: 26838936 DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2016.1140225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is associated with sudden death, but the reasons for this association are not well known. Objective We studied the role of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as a factor contributing to sudden cardiac death (SCD) in The Finnish Study of the Genotype and Phenotype Characteristics of Sudden Cardiac Death (FinGesture). METHODS AND RESULTS The FinGesture study compares the characteristics of victims of SCD caused by an autopsy-verified acute coronary event (cases) vs. survivors of an acute coronary event (ACS) (controls). The study population comprised 3737 cases (mean age 64 ± 12 y) and 3081 controls (mean age 66 ± 12 y). The use of AED was obtained from death certificates, autopsy/hospital records, national drug imbursement register, and interviews with the relatives. AEDs were more commonly used by the victims of SCD vs. controls (5.5% vs. 2.2%, adjusted odds ratio 2.7, 95% CI; 1.9-3.9; p < 0001). The use of AED for non-epilepsy indications was also more common in the cases than in controls (1.5% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION A higher rate of AED was observed in victims of SCD than in a control group of ACS patients. Concomitant use of AED could be responsible for a small fraction of deaths due to acute coronary events. Key message Epilepsy has been associated with sudden cardiac death. The use of antiepileptic drugs seems to be associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death during a coronary event. Physicians should be aware of the risk related to antiepileptic drugs especially when used for other reasons than epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eeva Hookana
- a Medical Research Center Oulu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
| | - Hanna Ansakorpi
- b Department of Neurology , University Hospital of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
| | | | - M Juhani Junttila
- a Medical Research Center Oulu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
| | - Kari S Kaikkonen
- a Medical Research Center Oulu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
| | - Juha Perkiömäki
- a Medical Research Center Oulu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
| | - Heikki V Huikuri
- a Medical Research Center Oulu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu , Oulu , Finland
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23
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van der Kruijs SJM, Vonck KEJ, Langereis GR, Feijs LMG, Bodde NMG, Lazeron RHC, Carrette E, Boon PAJM, Backes WH, Jansen JFA, Aldenkamp AP, Cluitmans PJM. Autonomic nervous system functioning associated with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: Analysis of heart rate variability. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 54:14-9. [PMID: 26615481 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNESs) resemble epileptic seizures but originate from psychogenic rather than organic causes. Patients with PNESs are often unable or unwilling to reflect on underlying emotions. To gain more insight into the internal states of patients during PNES episodes, this study explored the time course of heart rate variability (HRV) measures, which provide information about autonomic nervous system functioning and arousal. METHODS Heart rate variability measures were extracted from double-lead electrocardiography data collected during 1-7days of video-electroencephalography monitoring of 20 patients with PNESs, in whom a total number of 118 PNESs was recorded. Heart rate (HR) and HRV measures in time and frequency domains (standard deviation of average beat-to-beat intervals (SDANN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and very low-frequency (VLF) power) were averaged over consecutive five-minute intervals. Additionally, quantitative analyses of Poincaré plot parameters (SD1, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio) were performed. RESULTS In the five-minute interval before PNES, HR significantly (p<0.05) increased (d=2.5), whereas SDANN (d=-0.03) and VLF power (d=-0.05) significantly decreased. During PNES, significant increases in HF power (d=0.0006), SD1 (d=0.031), and SD2 (d=0.016) were observed. In the five-minute interval immediately following PNES, SDANN (d=0.046) and VLF power (d=0.073) significantly increased, and HR (d=-5.1) and SD1/SD2 ratio (d=-0.14) decreased, compared to the interval preceding PNES. CONCLUSION The results suggest that PNES episodes are preceded by increased sympathetic functioning, which is followed by an increase in parasympathetic functioning during and after PNES. Future research needs to identify the exact nature of the increased arousal that precedes PNES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie J M van der Kruijs
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Kristl E J Vonck
- Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert R Langereis
- University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Loe M G Feijs
- University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nynke M G Bodde
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard H C Lazeron
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien Carrette
- Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul A J M Boon
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Walter H Backes
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus F A Jansen
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P Aldenkamp
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre J M Cluitmans
- Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, 5590AB Heeze, The Netherlands; University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Colugnati DB, Pansani AP, Scorza CA, Cysneiros RM, de Almeida ACG, Scorza FA. Phenytoin is not involved with changes in heart rate of rats with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 52:42-3. [PMID: 26409127 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Diego B Colugnati
- Laboratório Integrado de Fisiopatologia Cardiovascular e Neurológica/Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, ICB/Universidade Federal de Goiás, GO, Brazil
| | - Aline P Pansani
- Laboratório Integrado de Fisiopatologia Cardiovascular e Neurológica/Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, ICB/Universidade Federal de Goiás, GO, Brazil
| | - Carla A Scorza
- Disciplina de Neurociência, Departamento de Neurologia/Neurocirurgia, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta M Cysneiros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio-Carlos G de Almeida
- Laboratório de Neurociência Experimental e Computacional, Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei, Brazil
| | - Fulvio A Scorza
- Disciplina de Neurociência, Departamento de Neurologia/Neurocirurgia, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is likely caused by a cascade of events affecting the vegetative nervous system leading to cardiorespiratory failure and death. Multiple genetic, electrophysiological, neurochemical, and pharmacological cardiac alterations have been associated with epilepsy, which can affect autonomic regulation of the heart and predispose patients to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. These cardiac and autonomic changes are more frequently seen in patients with longstanding and medication refractory epilepsy and may be a prerequisite for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Cardiac changes are also observed within the immediate periictal period in patients with and without preexisting cardiac pathology and could be the tipping point in the cascade of events compromising autonomic, respiratory, and cardiac function during an epileptic convulsion. Better understanding if and how these cardiac alterations can make a particular individual with epilepsy more susceptible to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy will hopefully lead us to more effective preventative strategies.
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Verma A, Kumar A. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: some approaches for its prevention and medico-legal consideration. Acta Neurol Belg 2015; 115:207-12. [PMID: 25253292 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-014-0362-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, mortality associated with epilepsy is a matter of grave concern. The mortality rate in epileptic population is two to three times more than that of the general population. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy, better known as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), is a mysterious and rare condition, in which typically young or middle-aged people with epilepsy die without a clearly defined cause. At times, this may raise a strong suspicion of foul play and raise several medico-legal issues. There may be several different underlying mechanisms but most research has focused on seizure-related cerebral and respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmia and autonomic dysfunction. In recent years, some significant risk factors have been recognized and strategies have been suggested that could be useful in prevention of SUDEP. Present communication provides some of the updates on new advances in prevention of SUDEP as well as highlights related medico-legal issues.
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El-Rashidy OF, Shatla RH, Youssef OI, Samir E. Cardiac autonomic balance in children with epilepsy: value of antiepileptic drugs. Pediatr Neurol 2015; 52:419-23. [PMID: 25660213 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunction of the autonomous nervous system causes arrhythmias and, although previous studies have investigated the effects of epilepsy on the autonomic control of the heart, there is still uncertainty about whether imbalance of sympathetic, vagal, or both systems occurs in epilepsy as well as the effect of anticonvulsants on the autonomic system. AIM To evaluate cardiac autonomic status in children with epilepsy on antiepileptic drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty patients with epilepsy were recruited from the Outpatient Neurology Clinic at Ain Shams University and were divided into the following groups: group I, drug naive; and group II, patients with epilepsy on regular antiepileptic drugs. The second group was further subdivided into the following groups: group IIa, received monotherapy; and group IIb, received polytherapy. Forty age- and sex-matched healthy children served as controls. Included patients underwent videorecorded electroencephalograph, Holter electrocardiogram (EKG) for time and frequency domains of heart rate variability, and standard EKG recording for QTc, QTd. RESULTS Mean values of all time domain, total power, and high-frequency power were significantly lower, whereas low-frequency and low-frequency/high-frequency power, QTc. and QTd were significantly higher in group I compared with group II and in patients compared with controls. No significant difference was found between patients on different antiepileptic drug regimens regarding heart rate variability values. A significant negative correlation was found between Chalfont severity score and 50% of difference between adjacent, normal RR intervals in patient groups. CONCLUSIONS Children with epilepsy have cardiac autonomic dysfunction evident in their heart rate variability assessment. Patients on antiepileptic drugs had better autonomic balance than those not on antiepileptic drugs. Holter and EKG follow-up should be considered for early detection in those at high-risk cardiac complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rania Hamed Shatla
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | - Eman Samir
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Chaitanya G, Santosh NS, Velmurugan J, Arivazhagan A, Bharath RD, Mahadevan A, Nagappa M, Bindu PS, Rao MB, Taly AB, Satishchandra P, Sinha S. Ictal Generalized EEG Attenuation (IGEA) and hypopnea in a child with occipital type 1 cortical dysplasia - Is it a biomarker for SUDEP? Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2015; 18:103-7. [PMID: 25745325 PMCID: PMC4350194 DOI: 10.4103/0972-2327.144279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An interesting association of ictal hypopnea and ictal generalized EEG attenuation (IGEA) as possible marker of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is reported. We describe a 5-years-old girl with left focal seizures with secondary generalization due to right occipital cortical dysplasia presenting with ictal hypopnea and IGEA. She had repeated episodes of the ictal apnoea in the past requiring ventilator support and intensive care unit (ICU) admission during episodes of status epilepticus. The IGEA lasted for 0.26-4.68 seconds coinciding with the ictal hypopnea during which both clinical seizure and electrical epileptic activity stopped. Review of literature showed correlation between post-ictal apnoea and post ictal generalized EEG suppression and increased risk for SUDEP. The report adds to the growing body of literature on peri-ictal apnea, about its association with IGEA might be considered as a marker for SUDEP. She is seizure free for 4 months following surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganne Chaitanya
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India ; Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - N Subbareddy Santosh
- Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayabal Velmurugan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India ; Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arima Arivazhagan
- Department of Neurosurgery, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rose D Bharath
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Anita Mahadevan
- Department of Neuropathology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Madhu Nagappa
- Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Parayil S Bindu
- Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Malla Bhaskara Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arun B Taly
- Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Sanjib Sinha
- Department of Neurology, National institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Effect of antiepilepsy drug therapy on ventricular function in children with epilepsy: a tissue Doppler imaging study. Pediatr Cardiol 2014; 35:280-8. [PMID: 23942784 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-013-0771-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Impaired cardiac myocardial function may contribute to the risk for sudden unexpected death of a patient with epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) on cardiac function in pediatric epileptic patients using standard and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. This hospital-based, prospective cross-sectional study investigated 52 epileptic children (mean age 9.3 ± 3.1 years) treated with AEDs (duration 2.4-10.0 years) and 36 healthy children (mean age 9.5 ± 4.0 years). In the epilepsy group, standard echocardiography showed increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, an increased LV mass index, and preserved ejection fraction. The patients also exhibited increased mitral peak A-wave velocity and mitral E-wave deceleration time as well as a decreased mitral E/A ratio. The E/Em ratio was significantly higher in the epilepsy group (5.6 ± 1.2) than in the control group (5.2 ± 1.1) (p = 0.016). In the epilepsy group, TDI showed an increased isovolumetric relaxation time and myocardial performance index (MPI). It also exhibited decreased early diastolic velocity (Em) and a decreased mitral annular displacement index in these patients. There were positive correlations between the LV lateral wall MPI (r = 0.231), septal MPI (r = 0.223), and LV mass index (p < 0.05) but no correlation with the duration of AED treatment. The authors detected subclinical ventricular dysfunction associated with AEDs at a preclinical stage. They suggest that TDI can be useful for determining the short- and long-term cardiac effects of AEDs.
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Behbahani S, Jafarnia Dabanloo N, Motie Nasrabadi A, Teixeira CA, Dourado A. A new algorithm for detection of epileptic seizures based on HRV signal. J EXP THEOR ARTIF IN 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/0952813x.2013.861874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tobaldini E, Nobili L, Strada S, Casali KR, Braghiroli A, Montano N. Heart rate variability in normal and pathological sleep. Front Physiol 2013; 4:294. [PMID: 24137133 PMCID: PMC3797399 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep is a physiological process involving different biological systems, from molecular to organ level; its integrity is essential for maintaining health and homeostasis in human beings. Although in the past sleep has been considered a state of quiet, experimental and clinical evidences suggest a noteworthy activation of different biological systems during sleep. A key role is played by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), whose modulation regulates cardiovascular functions during sleep onset and different sleep stages. Therefore, an interest on the evaluation of autonomic cardiovascular control in health and disease is growing by means of linear and non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) analyses. The application of classical tools for ANS analysis, such as HRV during physiological sleep, showed that the rapid eye movement (REM) stage is characterized by a likely sympathetic predominance associated with a vagal withdrawal, while the opposite trend is observed during non-REM sleep. More recently, the use of non-linear tools, such as entropy-derived indices, have provided new insight on the cardiac autonomic regulation, revealing for instance changes in the cardiovascular complexity during REM sleep, supporting the hypothesis of a reduced capability of the cardiovascular system to deal with stress challenges. Interestingly, different HRV tools have been applied to characterize autonomic cardiac control in different pathological conditions, from neurological sleep disorders to sleep disordered breathing (SDB). In summary, linear and non-linear analysis of HRV are reliable approaches to assess changes of autonomic cardiac modulation during sleep both in health and diseases. The use of these tools could provide important information of clinical and prognostic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Tobaldini
- Division of Medicine and Pathophysiology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco," L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan Milan, Italy
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Moghimi N, Lhatoo SD. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy or Voodoo Heart: Analysis of Heart/Brain Connections. Curr Cardiol Rep 2013; 15:424. [DOI: 10.1007/s11886-013-0424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Stefani M, Arima H, Mohamed A. Withdrawal of anti-epileptic medications during video EEG monitoring does not alter ECG parameters or HRV. Epilepsy Res 2013; 106:222-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Abstract
Among people with epilepsy, there is a 20-fold higher risk of dying suddenly and unexpectedly compared with the general population. This phenomenon is called sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and the term is used when sudden death occurs in an otherwise reasonably healthy person with epilepsy and the autopsy is unrevealing. In most cases, SUDEP occurs during sleep and is unwitnessed. Risk factors for SUDEP include the presence or number of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), nocturnal seizures, young age at epilepsy onset, longer duration of epilepsy, dementia, absence of cerebrovascular disease, asthma, male gender, symptomatic aetiology of epilepsy and alcohol abuse. Suggested factors predisposing to SUDEP have included long-QT-related mutations, impaired serotonergic brain stem control of respiration, altered autonomic control and seizures with a pronounced postictal suppression and respiratory compromise. Final events that may lead up to SUDEP are a postictal CNS shutdown with pronounced EEG suppression, ictal or postictal apnoea, and ictal cardiac arrhythmia. It is unknown whether antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) modify the risk for SUDEP. Studies have consistently found that the presence or number of GTCS is associated with an increased risk for SUDEP. Since continued presence of GTCS clearly necessitates the use of AEDs, both factors must be taken into account to determine whether one or both increases the risk for SUDEP. Some studies suggest that AEDs, such as lamotrigine and carbamazepine, may increase the risk of SUDEP, but rarely adjust for GTCS. Other studies, which have found that AEDs are associated with a decreased SUDEP risk, either adjust for the number of GTCS or are meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Studies assessing the impact of AEDs on the risk for SUDEP are limited because SUDEP is a rare event, making randomized clinical trials impossible to conduct. Observational studies focus on whether or not an AED was prescribed. When postmortem AED concentrations are assessed they are usually low or absent, perhaps due to sampling in deceased individuals, making it difficult to fully resolve whether AEDs increase or decrease SUDEP risk. Despite these caveats, the evidence suggests that AEDs are not associated with an increased risk for SUDEP on a population level, although some individuals may be susceptible to effects of AEDs. Recent evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of adjunctive AEDs at efficacious doses provides strong support for AED treatment as mono- or polytherapy to increase seizure control and protect against SUDEP in patients with refractory epilepsy. For patients for whom seizure control is unattainable, supervision or monitoring may prevent SUDEP, though this has never been formally tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale C Hesdorffer
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, P & S Unit 16, New York, NY, USA.
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Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) provides indirect insight into autonomic nervous system tone, and has a well-established role as a marker of cardiovascular risk. Recent decades brought an increasing interest in HRV assessment as a diagnostic tool in detection of autonomic impairment, and prediction of prognosis in several neurological disorders. Both bedside analysis of simple markers of HRV, as well as more sophisticated HRV analyses including time, frequency domain and nonlinear analysis have been proven to detect early autonomic involvement in several neurological disorders. Furthermore, altered HRV parameters were shown to be related with cardiovascular risk, including sudden cardiac risk, in patients with neurological diseases. This chapter aims to review clinical and prognostic application of HRV analysis in diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Cygankiewicz
- Department of Electrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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Meghana A, Sathyaprabha T, Sinha S, Satishchandra P. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in drug naïve hot water epilepsy. Seizure 2012; 21:706-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2012.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Ponnusamy A, Marques JL, Reuber M. Comparison of heart rate variability parameters during complex partial seizures and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsia 2012; 53:1314-21. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03518.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Lotufo PA, Valiengo L, Benseñor IM, Brunoni AR. A systematic review and meta-analysis of heart rate variability in epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia 2012; 53:272-82. [PMID: 22221253 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03361.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Epilepsy is associated with near-fatal and fatal arrhythmias, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is partly related to cardiac events. Dysfunction of the autonomous nervous system causes arrhythmias and, although previous studies have investigated the effects of epilepsy on the autonomic control of the heart, the results are still mixed regarding whether imbalance of sympathetic, vagal, or both systems is present in epilepsy, and also the importance of anticonvulsant treatment on the autonomic system. Therefore, we aimed to investigate epilepsy and its treatment impact on heart rate variability (HRV), assessed by sympathetic and parasympathetic activity expressed as low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power spectrum, respectively. METHOD We performed a systematic review from the first date available to July 2011 in Medline and other databases; key search terms were "epilepsy"; "anticonvulsants"; "heart rate variability"; "vagal"; and "autonomous nervous system." Original studies that reported data and/or statistics of at least one HRV value were included, with data being extracted by two independent authors. We used a random-effects model with Hedges's g as the measurement of effect size to perform two main meta-analyses comparing LF and HF HRV values in (1) epilepsy patients versus controls; (2) patients receiving versus not receiving treatment; and (3) well-controlled versus refractory patients. Secondary analyses assessed other time- and frequency-domain measurements (nonlinear methods were not analyzed due to lack of sufficient data sets). Quality assessment of each study was verified and also meta-analytic techniques to identify and control bias. Meta-regression for age and gender was performed. KEY FINDINGS Initially, 366 references were identified. According to our eligibility criteria, 30 references (39 studies) were included in our analysis. Regarding HF, epilepsy patients presented lower values (g -0.69) than controls, with the 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from -1.05 to -0.33. No significant differences were observed for LF (g -0.18; 95% CI -0.71 to 0.35). Patients receiving treatment presented HF values to those not receiving treatment (g -0.05; 95% CI -0.37 to 0.27), with a trend for having higher LF values (g 0.1; 95% CI -0.13 to 0.33), which was more pronounced in those receiving antiepileptic drugs (vs. vagus nerve stimulation). No differences were observed for well-controlled versus refractory patients, possibly due to the low number of studies. Regression for age and gender did not influence the results. Finally, secondary time-domain analyses also showed lower HRV and lower vagal activity in patients with epilepsy, as shown by the standard deviation of normal-to-normal interval (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) indexes, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE We confirmed and extended the hypothesis of sympathovagal imbalance in epilepsy, as showed by lower HF, SDNN, and RMSSD values when compared to controls. In addition, there was a trend for higher LF values in patients receiving pharmacotherapy. As lower vagal (HF) and higher sympathetic (LF) tone are predictors of morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular samples, our findings highlight the importance of investigating autonomic function in patients with epilepsy in clinical practice. Assessing HRV might also be useful when planning therapeutic interventions, as some antiepileptic drugs can show hazardous effects in cardiac excitability, potentially leading to cardiac arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo A Lotufo
- Clinical Research Center, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to the sudden death of a seemingly healthy individual with epilepsy, usually occurring during, or immediately after, a tonic-clonic seizure. The frequency of SUDEP varies depending on the severity of the epilepsy, but overall the risk of sudden death is more than 20 times higher than that in the general population. Several different mechanisms probably exist, and most research has focused on seizure-related respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmia, cerebral depression, and autonomic dysfunction. Data from a pooled analysis of risk factors indicate that the higher the frequency of tonic-clonic seizures, the higher the risk of SUDEP; furthermore, risk of SUDEP is also elevated in male patients, patients with long-duration epilepsy, and those on antiepileptic polytherapy. SUDEP usually occurs when the seizures are not witnessed and often at night. In this Seminar, we provide advice to clinicians on ways to minimise the risk of SUDEP, information to pass on to patients, and medicolegal aspects of these deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Torbjorn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ponnusamy A, Marques JLB, Reuber M. Heart rate variability measures as biomarkers in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: potential and limitations. Epilepsy Behav 2011; 22:685-91. [PMID: 21975299 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) metrics provide reliable information about the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and have been discussed as biomarkers in anxiety and personality disorders. We wanted to explore the potential of various HRV metrics (VLF, LF, HF, SDNN, RMSSD, cardiovagal index, cardiosympathetic index, approximate entropy) as biomarkers in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). HRV parameters were extracted from 3-minute resting single-lead ECGs of 129 subjects (52 with PNES, 42 with refractory epilepsy and 35 age-matched healthy controls). Compared with healthy controls, both patient groups had reduced HRV (all measures P<0.03). Binary logistic regression analyses yielded significant models differentiating between healthy controls and patients with PNES or patients with epilepsy (correctly classifying 86.2 and 93.5% of cases, respectively), but not between patients with PNES and those with epilepsy. Interictal resting parasympathetic activity and sympathetic activity differ between healthy controls and patients with PNES or those with epilepsy. However, resting HRV measures do not differentiate between patients with PNES and those with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athi Ponnusamy
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
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Errami M, Tassa AT, Galindo CL, Skinner MA, Hill JA, Garner HR. Carbamazepine alone and in combination with doxycycline attenuates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Heart Int 2011; 5:e7. [PMID: 21977292 PMCID: PMC3184704 DOI: 10.4081/hi.2010.e7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2010] [Revised: 05/20/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
β-adrenergic signaling is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy (CH), justifying the use of β-blockers as a therapy to minimize and postpone the consequences of this disease. Evidence suggests that adenylate cyclase, a downstream effector of the β-adrenergic pathway, might be a therapeutic target. We examined the effects of the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ), an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase. In a murine cardiac hypertrophy model, carbamazepine significantly attenuates isoproteronol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Carbamazepine also has an effect in transverse aortic banding induced cardiac hypertrophy (TAB) (P=0.07). When carbamazepine was given in combination with the antibiotic doxycycline (DOX), which inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), therapeutic outcome measured by heart weight-to-body weight and heart weight-to-tibia length ratios was improved compared to either drug alone. Additionally, the combination therapy resulted in an increase in the survival rate over a 56-day period compared to that of untreated mice with cardiac hypertrophy or either drug used alone. Moreover, in support of a role for carbamaze -pine as a β-adrenergic antagonist via cAMP inhibition, a lower heart rate and a lower level of the activated phosphorylated form of the cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB) were observed in heart extracts from mice treated with carbamazepine. Gene expression analysis identified 19 genes whose expression is significantly altered in treated animals and might be responsible for the added benefit provided by the combination therapy. These results suggest that carbamazepine acts as a β-adrenergic antagonist. Carbamazepine and doxycycline are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as drugs that might complement medications for cardiac hypertrophy or serve as an alternative therapy to traditional β-blockers. Furthermore, these agents reproducibly impact the expression of genes that may serve as additional therapeutic targets in the management of cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Nobili L, Proserpio P, Rubboli G, Montano N, Didato G, Tassinari CA. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and sleep. Sleep Med Rev 2011; 15:237-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Revised: 07/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Explaining the unexplained; expecting the unexpected: where are we with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy? Epilepsy Curr 2011; 11:45-9. [PMID: 21686306 DOI: 10.5698/1535-7511-11.2.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden death is over 20 times more frequent in people with epilepsy than the general population. The literature on clinical risk factors is now able to define individuals at the highest risk. Despite these advances in our understanding of risk, the mechanism of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy remains elusive. While it is unlikely that a single mechanism will be found to explain all deaths, there have been recent advances that identify factors that play a critical role. This review provides an update on new advances in the understanding of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
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Evaluation of Heart Rate Variation Analysis during Rest and Tilting in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Neurol Res Int 2011; 2011:829365. [PMID: 21789280 PMCID: PMC3140779 DOI: 10.1155/2011/829365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. To evaluate spectral heart rate (HR) variation using short-term ECG recordings at rest and during the tilt table test. Methods. The values of spectral components of total power (TP), high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF) and LF: HF ratio were measured at rest and during the head-up tilt in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and their control subjects. Results. Compared to the control subjects, patients with TLE had lower HF (P < 0.05) and LF : HF ratio (P < 0.05) at rest and lower TP (P < 0.001), HF (P < 0.05), and LF (P < 0.05) during the head-up tilt. Upon changing from supine to standing position TP (P < 0.05) and LF (P < 0.05) were attenuated in patients with TLE compared to the control subjects. Conclusion. These results suggest that spectral analysis of HR variation from ECG recordings of short duration may add value to assessment of autonomic nervous system function using autonomic cardiac tests in patients with TLE.
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Serafini A, Gelisse P, Reana V, Crespel A. Cardiac asystole during a cluster of right temporo-parietal seizures. Seizure 2011; 20:181-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2010.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Jansen K, Lagae L. Cardiac changes in epilepsy. Seizure 2010; 19:455-60. [PMID: 20688543 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2010.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 07/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy and seizures can have a dramatic effect on the autonomic nervous system by involvement of the central autonomic control centers. The peri-ictal changes can lead to short-term alteration of cardiac functions in patients with seizures, and are partially hemispheric specific. Changes in heart rhythm, conduction and even subtle signs of ischemia have been reported. Ictal asystole and the lock-step phenomenon during seizures play an important role in the pathophysiology of SUDEP. In patients with longlasting epilepsy and multiple seizures, there are now convincing arguments for a chronic dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. In this sense, heart rate variability can be considered as a biomarker of autonomic dysfunction in epilepsy. Early recognition of these short- and long-term cardiac effects will become useful in predicting seizures and in guiding more individualized treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Jansen
- University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Calabrò RS, Ferlazzo E, Italiano D, Bramanti P. Dose-dependent oxcarbazepine-related anorgasmia. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 17:287-8. [PMID: 20089459 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2009] [Revised: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Studies with heart rate variability have revealed interictal autonomic alterations in patients with epilepsy. In addition, epilepsy is frequently associated with ictal tachycardia or bradycardia, which sometimes precedes the onset of seizures. Ictal tachycardia is sometimes associated with electrocardiography (ECG) morphologic changes and ictal bradycardia often progresses to asystole. Such cardiac manifestations of seizures have been hypothesized as possible causes for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUPEP). The present review relates to interictal and ictal cardiac manifestations of epilepsy with focus on heart rate, heart rate variability, and ECG changes. Aspects of the supporting mechanisms are discussed and attention is drawn to the interaction between central and peripheral effects, interictal autonomic conditions, ictal autonomic discharges, and administration of antiepileptic drugs in shaping the ictal cardiac changes. Because these interactions are complex and not totally understood, closer surveillance of patients and more experimental work is necessary to elucidate the mechanistic support of autonomic and cardiac changes in epilepsy, and to design better strategies to avoid their undesirable effects. It is also suggested that some of these changes could be used as predictors or markers for the onset of seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Sevcencu
- Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark.
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