title: Cardiac pathology in status epilepticus.
abstract: Massive catecholamine release resulting in the formation of cardiac contraction bands may represent the cause of death in status epilepticus (SE). We reviewed the cardiac pathology of patients who died during SE to asses for contraction bands. Eight of 11 patients who died during SE had identifiable myocardial contraction bands compared with 5 of 22 control patients (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact t test). These findings delineate a pathological substrate and provide compelling evidence that excessive catecholamine release is the mechanism responsible for death in SE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology W8B, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. manno.edward@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Manno
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cascino
authors.forename: Katherine H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Noe
authors.forename: Eelco F M
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wijdicks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004837:Epinephrine