Epilepsy and the heart
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Epilepsy and the heart. This develops when seizures disrupt the normal cardiac rhythm. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Ictal bradycardia syndrome
- This develops when seizures disrupt the normal cardiac rhythm
- It usually affects men older than 50 years: a quarter are older than 60 years
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) accounts for >80% of cases
- A pacemaker is indicated when epilepsy manifests with refractory syncope
Ictal asystole
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References
- Reeves AL, Nollet KE, Klass DW, Sharbrough FW, So EL. The ictal bradycardia syndrome. Epilepsia 1996; 37:983-987.
- Tinuper P, Bisulli F, Cerullo A, et al. Ictal bradycardia in partial epileptic seizures. Brain 2001; 124:2361-2371.
- Bergfeldt L. Differential diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope and seizure disorders. Heart 2003; 89:353-358.
- Schuele SU, Bermeo AC, Alexopoulos AV, et al. Video-electrographic and clinical features in patients with ictal asystole. Neurology 2007; 69:434.
- So NK, Sperling MR. Ictal asystole and SUDEP. Neurology 2007; 69:423.
