QT INTERVAL IN TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY VERSUS NON TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Abstract Introduction Background SUDEP is leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic refractory epilepsy. Despite several epidemiological studies, case series , monitored and witnessed SUDEP the exact mechanism is not proposed Objective This work was carried out to assess QT interval prolongation in epilepsy and whether there’s a difference in QT interval prolongation between temporal epilepsy and non-temporal epilepsy. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 100 patients, 50 aged and sex matched healthy controls who underwent a prolonged (6 to 24 hours) 22 channel computerized EEG monitor with 10-20 system electrode placement and 12 lead electrocardiogram (25 millisecond speed). QT, QTd and QTc using Bazzet’s formulae were calculated. Results The results showed statistically significant difference prolongation of QT interval in epilepsy particularly temporal lobe epilepsy. Conclusion Significant prolongation of QT interval in epilepsy patients (11% suffered pathological prolonged QT). Marked prolongation of QTc and QTd in temporal lobe epilepsy over non temporal group.