Advantages of respiratory monitoring during video-EEG evaluation to differentiate epileptic seizures from other events

摘要

Distinction between epileptic (ES) and seizure-like events of non-epileptic nature(SLNE) is often difficult using descriptions of seizure semiology. Cardiopulmonary dysfunction is frequent in ES but has not been objectively examined in relationship to SLNE. Our purpose was to compare cardiopulmonary dysfunction between ES and SLNE.We prospectively recorded cardio-pulmonary function using pulse-oximetry, EKG and respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) in 52 ES and 22 SLNE. Comparison of cardiopulmonary complications between ES and SLNE was done using two-sample t-tests and logistic regression.Ictal bradypnea and pre-ictal bradycardia were more frequent in ES than SLNE (p<0.05). Desaturation was found in 57% of ES and 0% SLNE (p<0.0001). Oxygen saturation nadir was significantly lower in ES vs. SLNE (p<0.0001). Ictal-apnea was present in 31% ES and 9% SLNE (p=0.06). Pre-ictal, ictal and post-ictal tachycardia did not significantly differ between ES and SLNE (p>1.0).Cardio-respiratory dysfunction, specifically bradypnea, apnea, pre-ictal bradycardia, and oxygen desaturation, is more frequently seen in ES than in SLNE. Tachycardia was not discriminant between ES and SLNE.