Key result
Lower heart rate variability was observed among people who later died from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy compared to living epilepsy controls.
Why the study?
Does heart rate variability help improve SUDEP risk stratification in people with epilepsy?
Does heart rate variability help improve SUDEP risk stratification in people with epilepsy?
Heart rate variability may serve as a useful autonomic metric to improve risk stratification for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
Should we have a closer look at the beat-to-beat heart rate variations in people with epilepsy? The report by Sivathamboo et al.1 in this issue of Neurology® encourages us to do so. The investigators examined heart rate variability (HRV) among people who later died seemingly due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and found lower HRV than in living epilepsy controls. These findings thus raise the question of whether autonomic metrics could help us improve SUDEP risk stratification.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Thijs et al. (2021) conducted an editorial in Epilepsy. Heart rate variability (HRV) vs. Living epilepsy controls was evaluated on Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Lower heart rate variability was observed among people who later died from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy compared to living epilepsy controls.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: