A case of near-sudden unexpected death in epilepsy due to ventricular fibrillation

Abstract

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to the sudden and unexpected death of an epileptic patient with no other health issues, during normal activity, and for whom no other particular cause of death can be found. The exact cause of SUDEP has not been established yet; however, it is assumed to be caused by multiple organ failure involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Some of the known risk factors are generalized tonic-clonic seizure, frequent epileptic seizure, early onset of epilepsy, long duration of seizure, nocturnal seizure, and combined therapy with antiepileptics. A number of seizure-related cardiac arrhythmia cases have been reported. Arrhythmias are mostly benign tachycardia or bradycardia, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) or asystole is very rare. It is considered that fatal cardiac arrhythmia is a cause of SUDEP. Here, we describe the case of a near-SUDEP patient who was successfully revived without complications by immediate defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, although VF occurred after a convulsive seizure. Based on our experience, when treating a patient with an epileptic seizure, one should always keep in mind the possibility of SUDEP as a seizure-induced emergency situation involving fatal arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, even in young healthy adults.