Cardiac abnormalities discovered during long-term monitoring for epilepsy

During routine EEGs, ambulatory EEGs, prolonged EEGs in the intensive care unit, and long-term monitoring for epilepsy (LTME), trained technologists record cerebral activity as well as a basic electrocardiogram (ECG). The traditional use of this ECG tracing is to differentiate ECG artifact from abnormal brain activity. The past few years of LTME have given rise to a greater appreciation of the importance of ECG recording in patients undergoing continuous video EEG monitoring. The ECG must be reviewed for abnormalities, both ictal and non-ictal related. Although EEG technologists are not formally trained in ECG, abnormalities on ECG may be observed that could warrant further investigation through cardiology services. In addition to treating the patient's neurological issues, it may be possible to bring attention to previously undiagnosed cardiac problems that could seriously threaten the patient's health.