Brain Rattled, Heart Shackled: Ictal Asystole in a Patient without Prior History of Epilepsy or Arrhythmia

We present a case of ictal asystole in an 81-year-old female, with no prior history of epileptic activity, or cardiac history suggestive of arrhythmia, who suffered several seemingly unrelated epileptic and asystolic episodes prior to finally having a witnessed seizure followed by an asystolic event. Following this event, all atrioventricular (AV) nodal blockers, and medications with potential seizure threshold lowering activity were stopped, and anti-epileptic medication was optimized. Due to the wishes of the patient’s family, no invasive interventions were pursued.However, the patient continued to be medically treated with anti-epileptic therapy and had no further asystolic events. Unfortunately, the patient’s overall clinical status deteriorated, and she subsequently passed during her hospital stay after being made do not resuscitate and do not intubate (DNR/DNI) by the family and then subsequently comfort care. Prior to her passing, however, she had remained free of epileptic events for 10 days and free of asystolic events for 21 days.

Outcomes after asystole events occurring during wearable defibrillator-cardioverter use

AIM To examine whether wearable cardioverter defibrillator(WCD) alarms for asystole improve patient outcomes and survival.METHODS All asystole episodes recorded by the WCD in 2013 were retrospectively analyzed from a database of device and medical record documentation and customer call reports. Events were classified as asystole episodes if initial presenting arrhythmia was asystole(< 10 beats/minor ≥ 5 s pause). Survival was defined as recovery at the scene or arrival to a medical facility alive, or not requiring immediate medical attention. Episodes occurring in hospitals, nursing homes, or ambulances were considered to be under medical care. Serious asystole episodes were defined as resulting in unconsciousness, hospital transfer, or death.RESULTS Of the total 51933 patients having worn the WCD in 2013, there were 257 patients(0.5%) who had asystole episodes and comprised the study cohort. Among the 257 patients(74% male, median age 69 years), there were 264 asystole episodes. Overall patient survival was 42%. Most asystoles were considered "serious"(n = 201 in 201 patients, 76%), with a 26% survival rate. All 56 patients with "non-serious" asystole episodes survived. Being under medical care was associated with worse survival of serious asystoles. Among acute survivors, 20% later died during WCD use(a median 4 days post asystole episode). Of the 86 living patients at the end of WCD use period, 48(56%) received ICD/pacemaker and 17(20%) improved their condition.CONCLUSION Survival rates after asystole in patients with WCD are higher than historically reported survival rates. Those under medical care at time of asystole exhibited lower survival.

De novo ADGRV1 variant in a patient with ictal asystole provides novel clues for increased risk of SUDEP

Background Various cardiac and autonomic manifestations are frequently reported during seizures.Among the seizure-related arrhythmia,ictal tachycardia is the most common,followed by ictal bradycardia,with ictal asystole being the rarest.The occurrence of ictal asystole may obscure the clinical presentation and delay the diagnosis,representing a life-threatening presentation of epilepsy,with an elevated risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients(SUDEP).These cardiac abnormalities are being increasingly recognized as the key to elucidating the mechanisms of SUDEP.Case presentation We present a 35-year-old man with a history of focal-onset seizures with impaired consciousness since his mid-20 s.He developed different types of seizures for 2 years,described as tonic seizure and atonic seizure(drop attack).During such clinical events,he suffered from falls and cardiac arrest.However,thorough cardiac electrophysiology and imaging workup failed to reveal a cardiac etiology.Subsequent video electroencephalograph(EEG)monitoring was performed,and ictal bradycardia and ictal asystole were discovered.A cardiac pacemaker was implanted,and at 3-year follow-up,the patient did not suffer more atonic seizures,or falls.Genetic tests discovered a de novo variant of Adhesion G Protein-Coupled Receptor V1(ADGRV1),which may provide a clue for the patient’s ictal asystole and the increased risk of SUDEP.Conclusions Considering the important impact of ictal bradycardia and asystole on the morbidity and potential mortality of epileptic patients,it is important to simultaneously utilize EEG and electrocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis.This case report highlights the link between the de novo variant of ADGRV1 and the ictal bradycardia/asystole phenotype and implicates the importance of genetic testing in adult epilepsy patients.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio:A prognostic tool in patients with inhospital cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND In-hospital cardiac arrest(IHCA) portends a poor prognosis and survival to discharge rate. Prognostic markers such as interleukin-6, S-100 protein and high sensitivity C reactive protein have been studied as predictors of adverse outcomes after return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC); however; these variables are not routine laboratory tests and incur additional cost making them difficult to incorporate and less attractive in assessing patient's prognosis. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) is a marker of adverse prognosis for many cardiovascular conditions and certain types of cancers and sepsis. We hypothesize that an elevated NLR is associated with poor outcomes including mortality at discharge in patients with IHCA.AIM To determine the prognostic significance of NLR in patients suffering IHCA who achieve ROSC.METHODS A retrospective study was performed on all patients who had IHCA with the advanced cardiac life support protocol administered in a large urban community United States hospital over a one-year period. Patients were divided into two groups based on their NLR value(NLR < 4.5 or NLR ≥ 4.5). This cutpoint was derived from receiving operator characteristic curve analysis(area under the curve = 0.66) and provided 73% positive predictive value, 82% sensitivity and42% specificity for predicting in-hospital death after IHCA. The primary outcome was death or discharge at 30 d, whichever came first.RESULTS We reviewed 153 patients with a mean age of 66.1 ± 16.3 years; 48% were female.In-hospital mortality occurred in 65%. The median NLR in survivors was 4.9(range 0.6-46.5) compared with 8.9(0.28-96) in non-survivors(P = 0.001). A multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that an NLR above 4.55[odds ratio(OR) = 5.20, confidence interval(CI): 1.5-18.3, P = 0.01], older age(OR= 1.03, CI: 1.00-1.07, P = 0.05), and elevated serum lactate level(OR = 1.20, CI:1.03-1.40, P = 0.02) were independent predictors of death.CONCLUSION An NLR ≥ 4.5 may be a useful marker of increased risk of death in patients with IHCA.

Myoclonus and Recurrent Cardioinhibitory Vasovagal Syncope after Abdominal Surgery in a Critical Care Setting

Letter to the

Tako-tsubo syndrome after administration of intravenous adrenaline during atrioventricular block

We describe the clinical case of a 70-year-old woman with complete atrioventricular block that after administration of intravenous adrenaline, developed electrocardiographic changes suggestive of acute coronary syndrome, together with apical dyskinesia of the left ventricle. After ruling out the existence of coronary lesions, and after total recovery of the echocardiographic alterations in segmental contractility, she was diagnosed as Tako-tsubo syndrome induced by administration of adrenaline. This is the first report of this syndrome in the scenario of atrioventricular block treated with adrenaline infusion.