Ictal bradyarrhythmias and asystole requiring pacemaker implantation: Combined EEG–ECG analysis of 5 cases

BACKGROUND Seizures can lead to cardiac arrhythmias by a number of mechanisms including activation/inhibition of cortical autonomic centers, increase in vagal tone through activation of brainstem reflex centers, and respiratory failure. Ictal asystole (IA) is a potential mechanism underlying sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We analyzed the clinical features of 5 patients who developed IA requiring pacemaker implantation. METHODS Patients with ictal arrhythmias were identified from the video-telemetry and ambulatory EEG database at Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, as well as an independent epilepsy residential care facility. Only those who had IA requiring pacemaker implantation were included in the analysis. A total of 5 patients were identified. RESULTS Of the 5 patients with IA, 4 were female. All 5 patients had focal epilepsy, and four had temporal lobe epilepsy. Ictal asystole occurred with focal seizures with impairment of awareness. Seizure onset was left-sided in 2 patients, right-sided in one, left-sided onset with switch of lateralization in one, and nonlateralized in one patient. Three patients had hippocampal sclerosis, one of whom had undergone epilepsy surgery, one had traumatic encephalomalacia of the temporal lobe, and one patient had no lesions detected on MRI. Interictal epileptiform activity was more pronounced during sleep in all patients. Asystole occurred in association with sleep-related seizures in 4 of 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS Ictal asystole (IA) occurred in association with sleep-related seizures in 4 out of 5 cases, predominantly in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. These findings may be of relevance to SUDEP.