Clinical Characteristics Of Sudden Cardiac Death With And Without Febrile Seizure Prior To Death
Two-thirds of SCD-FS cases were men . Both SCD-FS and SCD without FS patients had few previous medical conditions. No differences in birth year were found in SCD-FS compared with SCD without FS . The SCD with prior FS cases died at the median age of 18.9 years and SCD patients without FS died at the median age of 20.6 years . Subsequent diagnosis of epilepsy was seen in 7 of SCD-FS patients , which were significantly higher than in 25 of SCD patients without prior FS . Epilepsy in SCD-FS was diagnosed after a median of 9.9 years subsequent to FS.
We pooled SCD-FS with explained causes and SCD-FS without autopsy and compared this group to SADS with prior FS . We found that SADS-FS had a median of 0.9 years from FS till death compared with non-SADS-FS with a median of 17.2 years from FS till death . Similarly, SADS-FS cases died at a median age of 2.2 years and compared with non-SADS-FS cases with a median age of 22.5 years at death .
Prompt Diagnosis And Treatment Of Subclinical Seizures After Cardiac Arrest
| The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
| First Posted : June 1, 2015Last Update Posted : July 9, 2019 |
Non-convulsive seizures following cardiac arrest are common and are associated with worse neurologic outcomes and increased mortality. More prolonged seizures are associated with worse outcomes. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of seizures may lead to earlier termination of seizures and decreased seizure burden.
This study will evaluate whether bedside intensive care unit provider interpretation of a type of EEG called DSA EEG can be used by non-neurologists to diagnosis seizures more rapidly than continuous EEG’s routinely read by neurologists.
| Not Applicable |
Is It Safe To Become Pregnant If I Have Epilepsy And Take Medication
People with epilepsy can have children. While many anti-epilepsy medications aren’t considered safe during pregnancy, most people with epilepsy can still have healthy children by working with a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider is the best person to talk to guide you on this or refer you to a specialist.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Seizures are not an uncommon neurological condition. About 11% of people will have a seizure at some point in their life, but most will have only one, and it’s often for a specific reason. That means the one seizure wont ever be a problem again. People who have more than one seizure without a specific underlying reason have epilepsy. While epilepsy is often a frightening condition, there are ways to treat it. With treatment, many people with epilepsy can live happy, fulfilling lives.
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How Does Broken Heart Syndrome Differ From A Heart Attack
Most heart attacks occur due to blockages and blood clots forming in the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with blood. If these clots cut off the blood supply to the heart for a long enough time, heart muscle cells will die, leaving the heart with scar tissue and irreversible damage.
People experiencing broken heart syndrome frequently have normal coronary arteries and often do not have severe blockages or clots. The heart cells of people experiencing broken heart syndrome are stunned by the adrenaline and other stress hormones. Fortunately, this gets better very quickly in most cases, often within weeks or just a few days. Most patients dont have scar tissue or damage.
Recovery Of Heart Attack In Dogs
The life of your pet after a heart attack will depend on the severity of the attack and its cause. Lifelong treatment may be required in the case of hypothyroidism, renal or heart disease. Regular heart monitoring in the veterinary clinic or with an ambulatory EKG recorder may be necessary to ensure stabilization over the first few weeks or months, possibly a few times per year for younger pets.
Activity restriction may be necessary for the first month while the pet stabilizes. Owners may want to become familiar with normal heart and breathing rate of their pet so rates can be taken after various times of high activity or stress. Change of diet or dietary supplements may be suggested by the veterinarian depending on the cause and severity of the event.
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Heart Attack: A Plumbing Problem
The Person is Awake and the Heart is Beating
Heart attack occurs when part of the hearts blood supply is reduced or blocked, causing the heart muscle to become injured or die. The person is awake and may complain of one or more of the signs and symptoms of heart attack.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back.
Some heart attack victims experience mild intermittent chest discomfort that comes and goes over a period of days. These are early warning signs that may precede a heart attack.
Chest discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or fullness. It can evolve into crushing pain if nothing is done.
Other symptoms of heart attack include:
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, spreading to the shoulder, upper back, neck or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- A general sense of anxiety
- A tendency to deny that anything serious is happening.
Its important to act right away if these symptoms occur to maximize the odds of survival and minimize potential permanent damage to the heart.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack in Women
The most common symptom of heart attack in women is the same as it is for men: chest discomfort or pain. Women are more likely than men, however, to experience other common symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath
Sometimes women experience additional symptoms including:
Lifesaving Actions
How You Can Save a Life: Heart Attack
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
If you’ve had one seizure in the past, it’s important to watch for signs of another. If you have a second seizure, seeing a healthcare provider as soon as possible is very important. Seizures cause changes in your brain that make it easier to have more seizures, so early diagnosis and treatment are key.
If a healthcare provider diagnoses you with epilepsy, you can help yourself by doing the following.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your anti-epilepsy medications can make a huge difference in seizure frequency and severity. It’s important that you keep taking your medications even if you feel better. You should never stop taking your medications without talking to your provider.
- Talk to your provider about alternatives. If you want to taper off or switch your medications, your healthcare provider determine if this is possible and guide you on how to do it safely.
- See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications or treatments.
- Dont ignore or avoid symptoms. Seizures and epilepsy are more likely to respond and have a good outcome with early diagnosis and treatment.
- Avoid seizure triggers. If there are situations that increase your risk of seizures, such as flickering lights or sleep deprivation, its important to avoid those triggers. Doing so can help you better control your seizures.
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Cardiac Rhythms Reported In Sudep And Near
There are only a few reports of cardiac rhythms of people with SUDEP at the time of death. Cases of ventricular arrhythmias have been described however, other clinical factors, including prior myocardial infarction and angina, may have contributed to an increased risk for arrhythmia in one instance and only the emergency medical personnel report of ventricular fibrillation was available in another case . In other studies, EKG recording was not available or revealed initial apnea before bradycardia occurred. In some occurrences of SUDEP, an electrographic seizure was followed by suppression of the EEG postictally . It has been postulated that persistent postictal suppression may be the result of primary CNS shutdown. Alternatively, seizure-related anoxia and/or decreased cardiac output might prevent the usual postictal recovery of cerebral activity, thus resulting in persistent suppression of cerebral activity and death.
Major Cardiovascular Events In Case And Control Cohorts
Previous studies have found an increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction for people with epilepsy.- A recent systematic review found hazard ratios of 1.09â2.85 for stroke and 1.09â1.48 for myocardial infarction. It is possible that people with epilepsy may have reduced physical activity, different diets, or increased rates of obesity. Stress, anxiety, and depression are also common with epilepsy and could impact other cardiovascular risk factors. These lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors were not measured in this study due to the inconsistency of documentation in routinely collected data. Another reason may be that epilepsy caused by atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease may precede major cardiovascular events caused by the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This may be independent of AED use, or AEDs may promote risk. Cardiac syncope can occasionally be misdiagnosed as epilepsy, with these cases having an increased risk of significant arrhythmias. AEDs can rarely cause significant arrhythmias, which could increase risk of significant cardiovascular events and death.,
| Variable |
|---|
| .870 |
- Hazard ratios in bold are significantly different to 1 .
- Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval CV, cardiovascular EIAED, enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug NEIAED, non-enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drug WIMD, Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.
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Treatment Of Heart Attack In Dogs
Initial treatment may involve resuscitation and supportive care, depending on seriousness of the event. The initial goal is to regain normal heart activity. Medications may be used to thin the blood for ease of circulation. Hospitalization is often necessary to continue heart monitoring until the veterinary staff is certain the pet is stable.
A variety of medications are available for cardiac abnormalities depending on the identified cause. Pacemaker implants are more widely available for canines predisposed to heart problems. Surgery may be required to remove any mass that may be obstructing blood flow to or from the heart. Thyroid hormone replacement medications are common and available. Various diets and medications may provide preventive/supportive care for renal disease if damage is not severe. Antibiotics may prevent further damage to vessels and heart lining resulting from infection or inflammation. Anti-arrhythmic medications can correct arrhythmias.
Once the pet has become stabilized, potential of recurrence is based on cause of the problem and severity of the myocardial infarction. Surgery and medications can extend the life of the pet for many years when the issue is diagnosed early and treated responsibly. Medications may need to be administered over the remaining life of the pet. In the case of collapse, your pet may need to remain in the hospital overnight or longer for monitoring.
Worried about the cost of Heart Attack treatment?
Cardiac Autonomic Data In Epilepsy
Several studies have documented abnormalities in cardiac autonomic status during the interictal state of epilepsy. Assessments of heart rate and blood pressure during deep breathing and the Valsalva maneuver suggest that the function of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, which mediate these responses, are diminished among patients with epilepsy, as compared with a control population . In a subsequent study, Ansakorpi and colleagues evaluated similar testing and found that patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy appear to have greater dysfunction of cardiovascular autonomic regulation than those with well-controlled temporal lobe epilepsy .
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How Can I Reduce My Risk
Everyone is at risk for seizures, and they also happen unpredictably, so its not possible to completely prevent them. The best thing you can do is avoid possible causes to reduce the chances of having a seizure.
The best things you can do to reduce your risk of having a seizure include:
- Eat a balanced diet and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. Many conditions related to your circulatory and heart health, especially stroke, can damage areas of your brain. This is one of the main causes of seizures in people over age 65. This can also help avoid electrolyte problems .
- Dont ignore infections. Eye and ear infections are especially important to treat. If these infections spread to your brain, they can cause seizures. Infections can also cause high fevers, which can lead to seizures.
- Wear safety equipment. Head injuries are a major cause of seizures. Using safety equipment whenever necessary can help you avoid an injury that leads to a seizure.
- Dont misuse alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs. Misusing these can lead to seizures, and withdrawal from these substances can also lead to seizures if you’re dependent on them.
- Manage your health conditions. Managing chronic conditions can help you avoid seizures, especially those that happen because of your blood sugar with either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
- Avoid possible seizure triggers. People with a history of seizures from flashing lights should use caution and avoid similar triggers whenever possible.
How Do I Know If I Have Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmias often dont have any symptoms. In the case of v-tach, you might feel like your heart is racing. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor.
Doctors diagnose cardiac arrhythmias by using an electrocardiogram . This painless, noninvasive test allows a doctor to measure your heart rhythm.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend wearing a monitor to check your hearts rhythm. If you have a seizure, the heart monitor can capture your hearts rhythm and allow your doctor to determine if theres an arrhythmia.
Researchers have therefore suggested that arrhythmias can be a precursor or sign that a seizure may be about to occur.
However, it is difficult to say if arrhythmias increase your risk of seizures. To identify the connection, a person would have to wear a heart monitor before, during, and after a seizure. But the timing of seizures is difficult to predict.
If youre concerned about your risks, talk with your doctor about how to best minimize them.
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Role Of The Screening Ecg In People With Epilepsy
Epilepsy News From: Monday, June 13, 2016
Many studies have shown that people with epilepsy are at higher risk for sudden death than the general population. Many of these unexpected deaths are SUDEP but people with epilepsy may also be susceptible to sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction .
Could some of these at-risk people be identified with a routine screening, 12-lead electrocardiogram ?
What Medications Or Treatments Are Used
The treatments for seizures vary widely. Thats because the treatment for a provoked seizure depends almost entirely on the cause. The treatment for epilepsy-related seizures also depends on the type of seizure you have, why theyre happening and which treatments work best.
Possible treatments for seizures due to epilepsy include one or more of the following:
Complications/side effects of treatment
The complications from seizure treatments vary widely, depending on the cause, type of seizure, type of treatment and more. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what side effects or complications are most likely in your case. That’s because they can give you specific information about your specific case.
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What About Collapsing
Now collapse due to heart failure can take place with or without loss of consciousness. So if a dogs not getting loss of consciousness, then we’re going to know that that’s a collapsing episode and that’s not a seizure.
If we do get loss of consciousness though, we don’t get that muscle activity that we do with seizures. So we often get a weakness first. They’ll get wobbly on their legs and then fall to the ground. Now, if they do lose consciousness, then like I said, they don’t contract and relax their muscles or they don’t become rigid, like a typical seizure.
Instead, the opposite happens, with collapse due to heart failure would cause the muscles to become limp.
Who Does It Affect
Everyone can have seizures, but some people have medical conditions that make them happen more easily. Seizures are also more likely at certain ages. Children are more likely to have seizures and epilepsy, but many grow out of the condition. The risk of having a seizure or developing epilepsy also starts rising at age 50 because of conditions like stroke.
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What Is Heart Attack
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, happens when blood is blocked from reaching the heart muscle . Deprived of oxygen and nutrients, the heart muscle dies and the affected heart chamber can no longer effectively pump blood through the body. Canine heart attacks have been seen in all breeds and are very rare. Increased risk for heart attack can be seen accompanying heart disease, congenital heart abnormalities, and genetic predisposition. Heart attacks require emergency medical attention and can result in sudden death.Canine heart attacks have been seen in all breeds and are very rare. If you notice symptoms of a heart attack in your dog, keep calm and contact a veterinarian immediately.
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