Idiopathic cardiac asystole presenting as epileptic seizures

Cardiac asystole has been associated with partial or generalized seizures (anoxic seizure) but, despite the previous descriptions, is still an underdiagnosed entity. The authors report 2 cases of cardiac asystole mimicking seizure disorder. The apparent cause of seizures in both cases was primary cardiac asystole caused by sinus node dysfunction. Both patients underwent emergent cardiac pacemaker implantation with complete resolution of their seizure/syncopal episodes. The importance of cardiac monitoring in patients who present with seizure-like events is emphasized.