Seizures in patients with drug refractory epilepsy were associated with ST-segment depression in 40% of subjects and a higher maximum heart rate.
Observational (n=23)
Do patients with drug refractory epilepsy exhibit cardiovascular abnormalities such as cardiac ischemia during seizures?
Cardiac ischemia, evidenced by ST-segment depression, occurs frequently during seizures in patients with drug-refractory epilepsy and may contribute to sudden death.
The authors investigated whether patients with drug refractory epilepsy have cardiovascular abnormalities that might be related to a high frequency of sudden death. Twenty-three subjects underwent comprehensive cardiovascular evaluations before and during video-EEG monitoring. ST-segment depression occurred in 40% and was associated with a higher maximum heart rate during seizures. These data suggest that cardiac ischemia may occur in these patients.
Tigaran et al. (2003) conducted an observational in Drug refractory epilepsy (n=23). Seizures vs. Before seizures was evaluated on ST-segment depression. Seizures in patients with drug refractory epilepsy were associated with ST-segment depression in 40% of subjects and a higher maximum heart rate.