Abstract
Seizures can influence cardiac autonomic function and cause abnormalities in the electrocardiogram (EKG). 1 A case of stereotypical bigeminy during left temporal lobe seizures recorded in the epilepsy monitoring unit is presented. The mechanism is likely due to spread of the ictal discharge to primary visceromotor regions in the left insula (Island of Reil). This case illustrates the potential influence of ictal brain activity on cardiac electrophysiology.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Opherk
C
Coromilas
J
Hirsch
L
. Heart rate and EKG changes in 102 seizures: Analysis of influencing factors . Epilepsy Res
2002 ; 52 (2 ): 117 –127 .
2.
Schüle
S
Widdess-Walsh
P
Bermeo
A
Lüders
H
. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy: The role of the heart . Cleve Clin J Med
2007 ; 74 (1 ): S121 –127 .
3.
Nei
M
Ho
RT
Sperling
MR
. EKG abnormalities during partial seizures in refractory epilepsy . Epilepsia
2000 ; 41 : 542 –548 .
4.
Oppenheimer
SM
Kedem
G
Martin
WM
. Left-insular cortex lesions perturb cardiac autonomic tone in humans . Clin Auton Res
1996 ; 6 : 131 –140 .
