BRADYCARDIA - AN UNRECOGNIZED COMPLICATIO N OF EPILEPTIC SEIZURES

A 36-year-old man, treated for epilepsy since early childhood was hosp italized for nocturnal paroxysmal disorders. The EEG-EKG-video monitor ing revealed complex partial seizures with bradycardia secondary to a sine-auricular block. The occurrence of autonomic disturbances during seizures is well known, mostly described in temporal epilepsy. Ictal b radycardia, with asystole, has been unfrequently reported while tachyc ardia appears more common. A systematic investigation of cardiac data synchronized with EEG recordings, especially in case of aspecific fain ting, could give a more accurate diagnosis and treatment, and so reduc ing sudden unexplained death in epileptic patients.