Abstract
Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a common cause of death in patients with epilepsy, with cardiorespiratory dysfunction and a primary cessation of cerebral function proposed as causes. We report two cases of SUDEP in patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy undergoing video-EEG (electroencephalography) telemetry at two centers. Both had secondarily generalized convulsions. EEG, electrocardiography (ECG), and respiratory changes in these two patients are reported herein. Ictal/postictal hypoventilation may contribute to SUDEP with the resulting hypoxemia and acidosis leading to failure of recovery of cortical function and eventual cardiac failure.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 916-920 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Epilepsia |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2010 |
Keywords
- Epilepsy monitoring unit
- Hypercapnia
- Hypoxemia
- Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
- SUDEP
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology