Ictal cardiorespiratory depression: A real risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)?

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman affected by nocturnal hypermotor seizures since the age of 2 years complained of epigastric discomfort and chocking sensation before seizure onset for the last 25 years. Telemetry unit monitoring revealed several focal seizures with left frontotemporal onset complicated with ictal asystole and apnoea. After pacemaker (PM) implantation, video-EEG monitoring coupled with extensive respiratory montage confirmed the presence of ictal central apnoea. Despite this huge ictal autonomic imbalance which is claimed to be a risk factor for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, the patient had a 25-year history of similar seizures, questioning the need to perform PM implantation and assisted ventilation.