[Research] A Preventable Cause of SUDEP is Established

[Dutch mom]

... These scientific discoveries are very important because for the first time we can begin to take real steps to prevent at least one cause of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. Until very recently, people with seizure disorders did not routinely receive an ECG test, because there was no firm evidence of a relationship between LQTS and epilepsy. This important new evidence means that one way to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy is to screen for heart rhythm disorders with an ECG. If an abnormality is found, the doctor will consult a cardiologist for the appropriate treatment. ...

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/newsletter/mar10_sudep

[Endless]

When I was having mystery problems (didn't know they were seizures yet) my PCP had a myriad of tests done, including an ECG. There was an abnormality, but not the rhythm kind mentioned in the article. It was so small they said no problems. Still I'm glad they did it. Puts my mind at ease.

It's an inexpensive test, and takes about 5 minutes. No pain or needles.

[Elsie]

I have an irregular heartbeat, so much so that I had to have a stress test with dye, 24-hr halter monitor, and dr. sent all results to a specialist in heart beats. This guy had a whole wall full of very old and very huge pacemakers! Anyway, he said my heartbeat was normal. Another dr. told me an arrythmia is never normal. Who to believe? Mine comes and goes. Also found it somewhere as a reason not to be on trileptal, which I am. I wonder if there's any correlation. I'm curious, how many of us have an irregular heartbeat?

[Nakamova]

I don't have an irregular heartbeat, but I do have a very mild (harmless) heart murmur.

[Cint]

I was once monitored with a 24 hr. monitor for heart rhythms and was told I had a mild heart murmur, this was after my diagnosis of epilepsy.

Doesn't Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy happen in the middle of the night? How would they know if it was actually a syncope incident or from smothering in the pillow or cardiac arrest?

Like Elsie, it does make me wonder if there is a correlation in some of the anti-epileptic drugs and arrythmia.

[Endless]

I don't think the study plainly says that people with epilepsy die of irregular heartbeat more than the general population. It only says that people should be checked for arrythmia as a possible cause of their seizures, to avoid Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. It doesn't say arrythmia is the only cause of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy.

an epilepsy research laboratory discovered that a gene responsible for the most common form of LQTS can not only trigger fainting spells, and put patients at risk of sudden death, but can also cause epilepsy (1). This had been long suspected, but never proved. This is an important finding, because it means that a seizure, and not just a fainting spell, could signify that you have a heart rhythm disturbance such as LQT and are at risk for sudden cardiac death

It also doesn't say what percentage of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy is due to the arrythmia. It could be very low. I haven't found the full text of the study yet. I think we need to read it to get more answers. Or maybe this is one study, unreplicated, and we may need to wait for more answers.

[Elsie]

Ok, interesting. Now what exactly is a heart murmur? I guess I could look it up. I have a slight mitrol valve prolapse. Forgive my bad spelling. Dr. said it was only as bad as what's normal with most people. Huh?