Heart obeys the brain: seizure ceases cardiac rhythm.
Ictal asystole is a rare phenomenon which may contribute to sudden death during epilepsy. Here we describe a case of a 20-year-old woman with ictal asystole and normal findings during electrophysiologic study. This case illustrates that ictal asystole may occur in patients with electrically normal hearts. We provide pathophysiologic considerations and discuss therapeutic options.
Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Service, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. thomas.wolber@usz.ch
Thomas
T
Wolber
Mehdi
M
Namdar
Firat
F
Duru
D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult