QT prolongation in patients with index evaluation for seizure or epilepsy is predictive of all-cause mortality.

Background: Refractory epilepsy confers a considerable lifetime risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Mechanisms may overlap with sudden cardiac death (SCD), particularly regarding QTc prolongation. Guidelines in the United States do not mandate the use of electrocardiography (ECG) in diagnostic evaluation of seizures or epilepsy.

Systematic Review of the Genetics of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: Potential Overlap With Sudden Cardiac Death and Arrhythmia-Related Genes.

Background Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of epilepsy-related death. SUDEP shares many features with sudden cardiac death and sudden unexplained death in the young and may have a similar genetic contribution. We aim to systematically review the literature on the genetics of SUDEP.