Preventing tomorrow's sudden cardiac death in epilepsy today: what should physicians know about this?
Approximately 1% of the population has epilepsy, the most common neurological disorder. Moreover, people with epilepsy are more likely to die prematurely than those without epilepsy, and the most common epilepsy-related category of death is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Information concerning risk factors for SUDEP is conflicting, but potential risk factors include: age, early onset of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, uncontrolled seizures, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs and winter temperatures. Additionally, the cause of SUDEP is still unknown; however, the most commonly suggested mechanisms are cardiac abnormalities during and between seizures. This review discusses the epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, and preventative measures in the management of SUDEP.
Scorza
Fulvio A
FA
Laboratório de Neurologia Experimental, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Colugnati
Diego B
DB
Pansani
Aline P
AP
Sonoda
Eliza Y F
EY
Arida
Ricardo M
RM
Cavalheiro
Esper A
EA
D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants