Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) was first described in literature in the nineteenth century as an entity whose pathophysiological mechanisms are still unclear. It is the most important cause of death in epileptic patients with recurrent tonic-clonic seizures, the sudden death risk being 24 times higher than in the general population. In this paper we approach aspects of incidence, risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms and autopsy records in SUDEP cases. We present the case of a 28 year-old female, diagnosed with 8 years of Epilepsy Grand Mal, with increase in tonic-clonic seizures recurrences in the last month. Death occurred suddenly, autopsy, histopathological examination and toxicological examination revealing no obvious cause of death.
Keywords:- autopsy.
- canalopathy
- epilepsy
- pathophysiology
- RISK FACTORS
- sudden death