Overview
The aim of the study is to use multiparametric cardiac MRI to identify any abnormalities in myocardial structure and function in patients with epilepsy. A two-stage study design is planned as part of the study:
- In the acute setting, cardiac MRI will be performed in patients before and after a tonic-clonic seizure and compared intraindividually. In this study arm, potential acute seizure-induced myocardial damage will be detected.
- In the chronic setting, cardiac MRI will be performed in patients with known chronic epilepsy during the seizure-free interval to detect potential chronic myocardial damage (myocardial fibrosis) and compared with a control population. Within the group of epilepsy patients, possible associations with various epilepsy-specific characteristics (e.g., form, cause, onset, duration, and severity of epilepsy) will be investigated.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- diagnosed epilepsy
- examination under usual antiepileptic pharmacotherapy or medication up-dosing (if medication was reduced during video-EEG recording)
- age between 18-60 years
Exclusion criteria:
- underlying cardiac disease, e.g. coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction, previous myocarditis, complex congenital heart defect, known cardiomyopathy of other cause
- pregnant and breastfeeding women
- patients who use IUD for contraception
- patients with a contraindication to contrast enhanced MRI