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López de Mota Sánchez D, Maure Blesa L, Nyström Hernández AL, Olivié García L, Herranz Bárcenas A. Lettre to editor: Case report of an ictal asystole as debut in new onset epilepsy. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:3529-3530. [PMID: 38446262 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07440-9] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The case report describes a 65-year-old man with arterial hypertension and a metallic aortic valve who presented to the emergency room for a loss of consciousness event and memory impairment. The electroencephalographic recording showed right temporal epileptiform activity followed by a 9 s asystole with quick consciousness recovery. The patient was diagnosed with right temporal epilepsy with asystole and was prescribed levetiracetam to prevent new events. A pacemaker was indicated in the follow-up for the long duration of the asystole, preventing major morbidity. Ictal asystole (IA) is a rare phenomenon of epilepsy that leads to syncope. It is observed in focal epilepsy, especially in left temporal epilepsy. Underlying cardiac pathology may facilitate IA, especially when the onset of the epilepsy is new. Knowledge of focal temporal semiology is key, concerning our case report, the memory impairment points to temporal pathology, and ictal vomiting in the non-dominant hemisphere. Anti-seizures drugs must be initiated in all patients, and there is a recommendation to avoid those with negative inotropic and arrhythmogenic effects (such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and lacosamide). There is a discussion about pacemaker indication, however, it is highly recommended in non-controlled epilepsy and in ictal asystoles that last for more than 6 s to reduce morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucía Maure Blesa
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Laura Olivié García
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
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Ouchida S, Parratt K, Nikpour A, Fairbrother G. Syncope vs. Seizure: Ictal Bradycardia and Ictal Asystole. Case Rep Neurol Med 2024; 2024:1299282. [PMID: 38741705 PMCID: PMC11090674 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1299282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ictal arrhythmia is a rare condition that causes arrhythmic manifestations induced by epileptic seizures, including asystole or bradycardia. Ictal asystole (IA) is a very rare condition found in patients undergoing video-encephalography (EEG) monitoring. It is often related to temporal lobe epilepsy and can cause syncope, which can lead to injury or even death. Case Presentation. Two patients with epilepsy showed symptoms of syncope. Both patients underwent 4-day ambulatory EEG tests and were diagnosed with IA. Following the tests, the patients were implanted with a permanent pacemaker, and one of them underwent a temporal lobectomy. As a result of these procedures, the patients experienced a reduction in episodes of symptomatic syncope. Conclusion Patients with ictal asystole and symptomatic ictal bradycardia are at increased risk of falls due to seizures. Although there are no specific guidelines for managing this condition, antiseizure medications, epilepsy surgery, and cardiac pacemaker implantation have been effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumika Ouchida
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaitlyn Parratt
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Armin Nikpour
- Neurology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Greg Fairbrother
- School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Patient and Family-Centred Care Research, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Senapati SG, Bhanushali AK, Lahori S, Naagendran MS, Sriram S, Ganguly A, Pusa M, Damani DN, Kulkarni K, Arunachalam SP. Mapping of Neuro-Cardiac Electrophysiology: Interlinking Epilepsy and Arrhythmia. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:433. [PMID: 37887880 PMCID: PMC10607576 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10100433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between neurology and cardiology has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly regarding the shared pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical comorbidities observed in epilepsy and arrhythmias. Neuro-cardiac electrophysiology mapping involves the comprehensive assessment of both neural and cardiac electrical activity, aiming to unravel the intricate connections and potential cross-talk between the brain and the heart. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the field by enabling the analysis of large-scale data sets, complex signal processing, and predictive modeling. AI algorithms have been applied to neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and other diagnostic modalities to identify subtle patterns, classify disease subtypes, predict outcomes, and guide personalized treatment strategies. In this review, we highlight the potential clinical implications of neuro-cardiac mapping and AI in the management of epilepsy and arrhythmias. We address the challenges and limitations associated with these approaches, including data quality, interpretability, and ethical considerations. Further research and collaboration between neurologists, cardiologists, and AI experts are needed to fully unlock the potential of this interdisciplinary field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidhartha G. Senapati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health and Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.G.S.); (D.N.D.)
| | - Aditi K. Bhanushali
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (A.K.B.); (S.L.)
| | - Simmy Lahori
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (A.K.B.); (S.L.)
| | | | - Shreya Sriram
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Arghyadeep Ganguly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA;
| | - Mounika Pusa
- Mamata Medical College, Khammam 507002, Telangana, India;
| | - Devanshi N. Damani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health and Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.G.S.); (D.N.D.)
- Department of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kanchan Kulkarni
- IHU-LIRYC, Heart Rhythm Disease Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université, Pessac, 33600 Bordeaux, France;
- INSERM, Centre de recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, U1045, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Shivaram P. Arunachalam
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (A.K.B.); (S.L.)
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Pasini E, Michelucci R. The Heart and Seizures: Friends or Enemies? J Clin Med 2023; 12:5805. [PMID: 37762746 PMCID: PMC10532013 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The heart and seizures are closely linked by an indissoluble relationship that finds its basis in the cerebral limbic circuit whose mechanisms remain largely obscure. The differential diagnosis between seizures and syncopes has always been a cornerstone of the collaboration between cardiologists and neurologists and is renewed as a field of great interest for multidisciplinary collaboration in the era of the diffusion of prolonged telemonitoring units. The occurrence of ictal or post-ictal arrhythmias is currently a cause of great scientific debate with respect to the role and risks that these complications can generate (including sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Furthermore, the study of epileptic seizures and the arrhythmological complications they cause (during and after seizures) also allows us to unravel the mechanisms that link them. Finally, intercritical arrhythmias may represent great potential in terms of the prevention of cardiological risk in epileptic patients as well as in the possible prediction of the seizures themselves. In this paper, we review the pertaining literature on this subject and propose a scheme of classification of the cases of arrhythmia temporally connected to seizures.
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Bianco M, Breviario S, Fraccalini T, Ferri R, Biolè C, Destefains P, Varalda G, Boccuzzi A, Chinaglia A. Epilepsy and syncope - A case report and narrative review of arrhythmias connected to temporal lobe epilepsy. J Electrocardiol 2022; 73:76-78. [PMID: 35716424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We present the case of a 28-years-old male presenting to the Emergency Department for relapsing episodes of "déjà vu" and syncope. After a diagnostic workup by a multidisciplinary team, the simultaneous EEG and ECG monitoring showed an asystole associated with EEG anomalies in right fronto-temporal region of the brain. The brain MRI revealed an ischemic lesion concordant with EEG anomalies. In the suspicion of an ictal asystole, we decided not to implant a permanent pacemaker as the first line therapy but started a targeted anti-epileptic therapy. No more syncopal episodes nor dysrhythmias occurred during recovery and almost two years follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bianco
- Division of Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Susanna Breviario
- Cardiology Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Thomas Fraccalini
- Emergency Medicine Department, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferri
- Neurology Unit, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Carloalberto Biolè
- Division of Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Destefains
- Division of Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Varalda
- Division of Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriana Boccuzzi
- Emergency Medicine Department, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Chinaglia
- Division of Cardiology, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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Unexplained Syncope: The Importance of the Electrophysiology Study. HEARTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/hearts2040038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Syncope of cardiac origin may be associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. The diagnostic approach of syncope imposes a significant economic burden on society. The investigation and elucidation of the pathogenetic mechanism of syncope are of great clinical importance, as both prognosis and appropriate therapeutic approaches depend on these factors. The responsible mechanism of presyncope or syncope can only be revealed through the patient history, baseline clinical examination and electrocardiogram. The percentage of patients who are diagnosed with these tests alone exceeds 50%. In patients with a history of organic or acquired heart disease or/and the presence of abnormal findings on the electrocardiogram, a further diagnostic electrophysiology inclusive approach should be followed to exclude life threatening arrhythmiological mechanism. However, if the patient does not suffer from underlying heart disease and does not show abnormal electrocardiographic findings in the electrocardiogram, then the probability in the electrophysiology study to find a responsible cause is small but not absent. The role of a two-step electrophysiology study inclusive risk stratification approach for the effective management of the former is thoroughly discussed in this review.
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