Decoding SUDEP: Key Risk Markers and the Role of Peri-Ictal Apnoea in Epilepsy Mortality

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This landmark prospective multicentre cohort study identified critical risk markers for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), including living alone, high frequency of generalized convulsive seizures, and peri-ictal central apnoea duration, based on long-term follow-up of 2632 epilepsy patients undergoing video EEG monitoring.

Notably, prolonged postictal central apnoea (>14 seconds) and ictal central apnoea (>17 seconds) emerged as novel electroclinical biomarkers linked to SUDEP risk, offering new avenues for epilepsy mortality risk stratification and prevention strategies.