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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