A case of seizure-related bradycardia and asystole.
Cardiac arrhythmias are frequently seen with epileptic seizures and their occurrence has been proposed as a possible cause for sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy. Reported is a case of a 32-year-old man who presented to the emergency department (ED) following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure and subsequently developed sinus bradycardia and asystole following a second, witnessed tonic-clonic event. This case illustrates the potential for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in patients with seizures. The importance of hemodynamic monitoring in seizure patients while they are in the ED is emphasized.
Smith-Demps
C
C
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, USA.
Jagoda
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male