The effect of generalized seizure activity on ischemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial injury with histopathological evaluation in anesthetized rats

Abstract

Background/aim: Epileptic seizure leads to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) among affected patients. The causes ofSUDEP are still unclear. The aim of this study was to research the effect of epilepsy on myocardial injury and arrhythmias duringexperimentally induced acute myocardial ischemia.Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: sham, pentylentetrazole (PTZ) + sham, ischemia, and PTZ+ ischemia groups. PTZ (65 mg/kg, ip) was given 2 h before ischemia. Seizure scoring was conducted by evaluating the PTZ-inducedbehavioral changes in the rats. The left main coronary artery was ligated in anesthetized rats for 30 min. The incidence and the numberof ventricular arrhythmias were determined. Histopathological scoring was performed for tissue injury by using a microscope.Results: Seizure scores were not different among the groups (P > 0.05). The incidence and number of ventricular tachycardia (VT)episodes were significantly higher in the PTZ + ischemia group than in the ischemia group (P ˂ 0.05). More prominent myocardialdamage was observed in the PTZ + ischemia group than in the other groups (histopathological scores: PTZ + ischemia; 2.5 ± 0.5 versusischemia; 1.2 ± 0.4, P ˂ 0.05).Conclusion: PTZ-induced seizure in rats increased myocardial injury and the incidence and number of VT episodes in myocardialischemia. These results reveal that seizure in epilepsy patients may increase ventricular arrhythmia and myocardial injury during heartattack.