Sudden unexpected death of epileptic patient due to cardiac arrhythmia after seizure

Arch Neurol. 1986 Feb;43(2):194-6. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1986.00520020080028.

Abstract

Sudden unexpected death (SUD) occurred in an epileptic patient after a seizure. The patient had a witnessed seizure with electrocardiographic evidence of a cardiac arrhythmia. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the hospital was ineffective. Autopsy revealed no anatomic cause of death. This case supports a cardiac cause for SUD in this patient. The mechanism of death remains speculative despite its setting in an epilepsy center. The seven-year experience with SUD at the epilepsy center is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Brain / pathology
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / pathology