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Review
. 2019 Sep 5;56(4):292-301.
doi: 10.29399/npa.23663. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Let's talk SUDEP

Ayşe Deniz Elmali  1 , Nerses Bebek  1 , Betül Baykan  1
Affiliations
Review

Let's talk SUDEP

Ayşe Deniz Elmali et al. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. .

Abstract

Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a devastating complication of epilepsy which was under-recognized in the recent past despite its clear importance. In this review, we examine the definition of SUDEP, revise current pathophysiological theories, discuss risk factors and preventative measures, disclose tools for appraising the SUDEP risk, and last but not least dwell upon announcing and explaining the SUDEP risk to the patients and their caretakers. We aim to aid the clinicians in their responsibility of knowing SUDEP, explaining the SUDEP risk to their patients in a reasonable and sensible way and whenever possible, preventing SUDEP. Future studies are definitely needed to increase scientific knowledge and awareness related to this prioritized topic with malign consequences.

Keywords: Pathophysiology; communication; prevention; risk factors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathophysiological mechanisms involved in SUDEP.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Low pass filter, 70 Hz; High pass filter, 0.5 Hz; Notch filter, 50 Hz; Sensitivity, 100 µV. An example of postictal generalized electroencephalographic suppression in EEG following a generalized tonic clonic seizure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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