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Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus
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Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

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Cardiac injury after convulsive status epilepticus in children

Doaa El Amrousy1, Maher Abd El-Hafez1, Mohamed Nashat2

  • 1Pediatric Department, Tanta University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|April 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac injury is common in children with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE). This study found significant ECG and cardiac function abnormalities, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and increased mortality in pediatric CSE patients, highlighting the need for routine cardiac assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) is a critical neurological emergency associated with significant mortality.
  • Cardiac injury is a potential contributor to mortality in the post-CSE period.
  • Evaluating cardiac involvement in pediatric CSE is crucial for understanding outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac injury in children experiencing CSE.
  • To investigate cardiac function, biomarkers, and electrocardiographic changes following CSE in a pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty children with CSE were compared to thirty healthy controls.
  • Evaluations included electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and plasma levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) 6 hours post-seizure control.
  • Left ventricular dimensions, systolic and diastolic functions were assessed.

Main Results:

  • 55% of CSE patients exhibited ECG abnormalities (conduction issues, ischemia, arrhythmias).
  • CSE patients showed impaired left ventricular dimensions and reduced systolic/diastolic function compared to controls.
  • Significantly elevated BNP and cTnI levels were observed in CSE patients (p < 0.001).
  • Overall mortality was 8.3%, with 4 deaths in patients with ECG changes.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac injury is a frequent and potentially under-recognized complication of CSE in children.
  • Routine cardiac assessment, including ECG and biomarker analysis, is recommended for managing pediatric CSE patients.
  • Early identification of cardiac injury may improve patient outcomes and management strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
ArrhythmiasBNPCardiac injuryStatus epilepticusTroponin

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