A Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.
- Author:
Seon Jeong KIM
1
;
Tae Jin SONG
;
Young Chul CHOI
;
Won Joo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kzoo@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy;
Epilepsy;
Cardiopulmonary arrest
- MeSH:
Adult;
Apnea;
Autopsy;
Cause of Death;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Epilepsy*;
Heart Arrest;
Humans;
Male;
Seizures
- From:Journal of Korean Epilepsy Society
2007;11(2):116-118
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as sudden, unexpected, non-traumatic, and non-drowning death in epilepsy. Postmortem examination must not reveal any anatomical or toxicological causes for SUDEP. The most commonly suggested mechanisms for SUDEP are cardiac abnormalities and apnea, although the cause of SUDEP is still unknown. We experienced a 36 years old male patient with epilepsy who was admitted to emergency room for cardiopulmonary arrest and the death was compatible with SUDEP because of unexpected death without reasonable explanation of cause of death except seizure. There is a possibility of an irreversible cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest by a seizure, which led to death in this case.
