Sudden Death in Brazil: Epilepsy Should be in Horizon

To date, a considerable amount of valuable information about the problem of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been described. The incidence of SCD in the United States ranges between 180000-400000 cases per year. Martinelli et al demonstrated an incidence of 21270 cases of SCD per year in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo. Recently, Braggion-Santos et al. described the characteristics of SCD in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, according to autopsy reports. Revising 4501 autopsies, they identified 899 cases of SCD (20%); the rate was 30/100000 residents/year. The vast majority of SCD cases involved coronary artery disease (64%). Based on available scientific knowledge related to SCD, it is extremely important to identify new areas of research that might improve understanding of this problem and to establish effective preventive measures to minimize or even control the occurrence of SCD.

Although studies have shown that the increase in the number of SCD caused by a combination of factors^,, an equally important risk factor for SCD which is not reported and not explored in cardiologic research is epilepsy. Indeed, a series of data could be put forward to explain it.

[…]