Epileptic Heart
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]
Synonyms and keywords:
Overview
Chronic epileptic episodes and the subsequent catecholamine surges and hypoxic events may affect the heart and coronary vessels and result in the dysfunction of the heart. This condition is known as the "epileptic heart." This concept was first described by Dr. Richard L. Verrier and his colleagues in 2020.
Historical Perspective
- Absence of cardiac activity during epileptic seizure, first described by Dr. A.E. Russell, an English physician, in 1906.[1]
- The epileptic heart was first described by Drs. Verrier, Pang, Nearing, and Schachter, in 2020.[2]
Classification
- There is no established system for the classification of the epileptic heart.
Pathophysiology
- The exact mechanisms involved in the development of the epileptic heart are still being elucidated. However, the conceptual framework below provides helpful information on the development of heart disease in patients with epilepsy.[3]
| Chronic epilepsy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repeated hypoxia and subsequent myocardial ischemia | Accelerated atherosclerosis | Myocardial stunning | Vacuolization of myocytes and fibrosis | Catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Epilepsy and Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmias have long been observed in patients with epilepsy. Three different mechanisms explain this association:[4]
- Direct (causal) pathway
- Co-existence of epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmia in the context of genetic disorders:
- Resultant association:
- Certain anti-epileptic medications with sodium channel blocking properties have been known to cause arrhythmia.
- Seizure may also cause arrhythmia.
- Ictal phase may be associated with tachycardia, asystole, bradycardia, and AV block.
- Postictal phase may be associated with asystole, AV block, atrial flutter or fibrillation, and ventricular fibrillation.
Epilepsy and Structural Heart Disease
Three mechanisms have been suggested to explain the association between epilepsy and structural heart disease:[4]
- Direct (causal) pathway in which structural heart disease may result in embolic stroke and subsequent epilepsy.
- Common risk factors contribute to the development of both epilepsy and structural heart disease.
- Resultant pathway:
- Epilepsy may stimulate myocardial ischemia and a Takotsubo-like syndrome.
- Certain anti-epileptic medications contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis, weight gain, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome and result in a poorer cardiovascular risk profile.[5][6]
- On microscopic histopathological analysis of patients with epilepsy a range of pathologies has been reported. These changes include fibrosis, myofibrillar degeneration, ventricular hypertrophy, focal myocardial fibrosis, perivascular and interstitial myocardial fibrosis, and mild to moderate coronary atherosclerosis.[7][8][9]
Causes
- Epileptic heart is caused by the chronic effects of epilepsy on the heart.
Causes
Epileptic heart may be caused by the following:
- Accelerated atherosclerotic process due to side effect of longstanding antiepileptic therapy such as carbamazepine, gabapentin on lipid profile
- Increased occurrence of arrhythmia due to hyperadrenergic state in seizure episodes
- Cardiac autonomic dysfunction due to repeated siezue episodes, a predisposing factor of arrhythmia
- Arrhythmogenic effect of antiepileptic drugs due to blockage of sodium channels on heart
- Susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation before or after seizure episods
- Structural myocardium damage due to repeated seizures, such as myocardial calcified lesions, myocardial stiffness, cardiomegaly, ventricular hypertrophy, left artial dilation
- Neurogenic stunned myocardium similar to tukotsubo, a reversible cardiomyopathy after a seizure episode
- Increased occurance of atrial fibrillation
Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases
- [Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as:
- [Differential dx1]
- [Differential dx2]
- [Differential dx3]
| Epileptic heart | Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy SUDEP | Convulsion syncope | Epileptic seizure |
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Epidemiology and Demographics
- The prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number or range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
- In [year], the incidence of [disease name] was estimated to be [number or range] cases per 100,000 individuals in [location].
Age
- Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].
- [Disease name] is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
- [Disease name] is more commonly observed among [elderly patients/young patients/children].
Gender
- [Disease name] affects men and women equally.
- [Gender 1] are more commonly affected with [disease name] than [gender 2].
- The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.
Race
- There is no racial predilection for [disease name].
- [Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race.
- [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].
Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of epileptic heart may include:
- Low socioeconomic status
- Long standing antiepileptic therapy
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia]]
- Diabetes mellitus
- Male sex
- Smoking
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
- Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
- The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met:
- [criterion 1]
- [criterion 2]
- [criterion 3]
- [criterion 4]
History and Symptoms
- [Disease name] is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of [disease name] may include the following:
- [symptom 1]
- [symptom 2]
- [symptom 3]
- [symptom 4]
- [symptom 5]
- [symptom 6]
Physical Examination
- Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [finding 1]
- [finding 2]
- [finding 3]
- [finding 4]
- [finding 5]
- [finding 6]
Laboratory Findings
Common laboratory findings related to epileptic heart may include:\
- An elevated concentration of serum troponin I as the marker of myocardial injury in patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizure.41.63.67
- Increased CRP, lipid profile due to induction of cytochrome P450 by antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine, gabapentin
Electrocardiogram
An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of epileptic heart. Findings on an ECG suggestive of effects of seizure on the heart include:
- Bundle-branch block
- ST-segment changes indicating myocardial ischemia in 40% of seizures
- T-wave inversion
- Bradycardia, asystole due to hypoxia or respiratory disturbance in postictal phase
- Sinus tachycardia in ictal phase due to sympathetic activity or reduction in vagal tone in 82% of cases
- QT interval prolongation
- QT interval dispersion
- Increased T wave alternance in preictal and post ictal phases of generalized tonic-clonic seizure indicating repolarization abnormality
- Decreased heart rate variability indicating decreased vagus nerve activity during seizure
- Sinus tachycardia, heart rate >150/min indicating sympathetic discharge
- Common ECG markers associated sudden cardiac death include:
- QT prolongation
- Increased T waves alternance
- Decreased heart rate variability
X-ray
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of epilectic heart. Findings on an echocardiography diagnostic of epileptic heart include
- Increased left ventricular filling pressures
- Increased left atrial volume
- Increase left ventricular end systolic diameter
- Increased left ventricular end systolic volume 64,65,66
CT scan
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
MRI
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Other Imaging Findings
There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
There are no other diagnostic studies associated with [disease name].
OR
[Diagnostic study] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
Other diagnostic studies for [disease name] include [diagnostic study 1], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Russell, A.E. (1906). "CESSATION OF THE PULSE DURING THE ONSET OF EPILEPTIC FITS,". The Lancet. 168 (4325): 152–154. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(01)30477-4. ISSN 0140-6736.
- ↑ Verrier, Richard L.; Pang, Trudy D.; Nearing, Bruce D.; Schachter, Steven C. (2020). "The Epileptic Heart: Concept and clinical evidence". Epilepsy & Behavior. 105: 106946. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106946. ISSN 1525-5050.
- ↑ Verrier, Richard L.; Schachter, Steven C. (2018). "Is heart disease in chronic epilepsy a consequence of seizures or a fellow traveler?". Epilepsy & Behavior. 86: 211–213. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.06.027. ISSN 1525-5050.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Shmuely, S.; van der Lende, M.; Lamberts, R.J.; Sander, J.W.; Thijs, R.D. (2017). "The heart of epilepsy: Current views and future concepts". Seizure. 44: 176–183. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2016.10.001. ISSN 1059-1311.
- ↑ Hamed, Sherifa A. (2014). "Atherosclerosis in epilepsy: Its causes and implications". Epilepsy & Behavior. 41: 290–296. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.07.003. ISSN 1525-5050.
- ↑ Mintzer, Scott; Trinka, Eugen; Kraemer, Günter; Chervoneva, Inna; Werhahn, Konrad J. (2018). "Impact of carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam on vascular risk markers and lipid-lowering agents in the elderly". Epilepsia. 59 (10): 1899–1907. doi:10.1111/epi.14554. ISSN 0013-9580.
- ↑ Leestma, Jan E.; Walczak, Thaddeus; Hughes, John R.; Kalelkar, Mitra B.; Teas, Shaku S. (1989). "A prospective study on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy". Annals of Neurology. 26 (2): 195–203. doi:10.1002/ana.410260203. ISSN 0364-5134.
- ↑ Falconer, Bertil; Rajs, Jovan (1976). "Post-mortem findings of cardiac lesions in epileptics: A preliminary report". Forensic Science. 8: 63–71. doi:10.1016/0300-9432(76)90048-0. ISSN 0300-9432.
- ↑ Bardai, Abdennasser; Blom, Marieke T; van Noord, Charlotte; Verhamme, Katia M; Sturkenboom, Miriam C J M; Tan, Hanno L (2015). "Sudden cardiac death is associated both with epilepsy and with use of antiepileptic medications". Heart. 101 (1): 17–22. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2014-305664. ISSN 1355-6037.
- ↑ Reeves, Andrew L.; Nollet, Kenneth E.; Klass, Donald W.; Sharbrough, Frank W.; So, Elson L. (1996). "The Ictal Bradycardia Syndrome". Epilepsia. 37 (10): 983–987. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.1996.tb00536.x. ISSN 0013-9580.
- ↑ Nashef, L; Walker, F; Allen, P; Sander, J W; Shorvon, S D; Fish, D R (1996). "Apnoea and bradycardia during epileptic seizures: relation to sudden death in epilepsy". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 60 (3): 297–300. doi:10.1136/jnnp.60.3.297. ISSN 0022-3050.
Differentiating Epileptic heart from other Diseases
- Epileptic heart must be differentiated from other causes of sudden death. It should also be distinguished from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Currently, there is no guideline statement that recommends routine cardiac evaluation of patients with epilepsy. However, a resting 12-lead EKG and/or ambulatory EKG patch recording may be useful in identifying the patients at risk of cardiac pathology and to further follow the progression of their cardiac pathology.[1]
References
- ↑ Verrier, Richard L.; Pang, Trudy D.; Nearing, Bruce D.; Schachter, Steven C. (2020). "The Epileptic Heart: Concept and clinical evidence". Epilepsy Behavior. 105: 106946. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.106946. ISSN 1525-5050.