Asystole in focal epilepsy complicating a traumatic subdural hematoma

Abstract

Ictal asystole due to sinus node suppression is a cause of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. Here, for the first time, we describe a complete atrioventricular nodal block in a patient with non-compressive traumatic subdural hematoma, who developed ictal asystole as a delayed presentation. A leadless VVI pacemaker (ventricular paced, ventricular sensed, and pacing inhibited in response to a sensed beat) was implanted as a preventive measure against seizure-related heart block.

Keywords

• Syncope
• Ictal asystole
• Subdural hematoma
• Temporal lobe epilepsy
• Heart block