SUDEP and heart rate variability.

摘要

We read with interest the important article by Surges et al. regarding their case-controlled study of heart rate variability (HRV) and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) (Surges et al., 2009). Surges retrospectively examined multiple measures of HRV in a group of seven SUDEP victims and seven age-matched controls. To the authors' surprise, differences in HRV measures were not significant.However, when one carefully reviews the HRV data, specifically measures of high-frequency HRV (RMSSD and High Frequency Spectral Power), it is clear that there are substantial numerical differences between the two groups (Surges et al., 2009). High-frequency HRV is important to consider because it is associated with vagus nerve/ parasympathetic control of the heart, and low values indicate dysfunctional central nervous system control of the cardiac rhythm (Stein et al., 1994; Kleiger et al., 1987).