Postictal Central Apnea as a Cause of SUDEP: Evidence From Near‐SUDEP Incident

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.2000.tb00128.x
• Publication Date: 2005-08-03T06:28:20Z
• Authors: Elson L. So; Maria C. Sam; Terrence L. Lager...
• Keywords: Respiratory arrest

Summary: While undergoing video‐EEG monitoring, a 20‐year‐old woman had 56‐second convulsive seizure, after which she developed persistent apnea. The rhythm of the electrocardiogram complexes was unimpaired for approximately 10 seconds, it gradually and progressively slowed until stopped 57 seconds later. Evaluation successful cardiorespiratory resuscitation showed no evidence airway obstruction or pulmonary edema. patient previous cardio‐respiratory arrest complex partial seizure without secondary generalization. Although epileptic seizures are known to be potentially arrhythmogenic heart, our observations strongly suggest that one probable mechanism sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is marked central suppression respiratory activity seizures.