Doing about unexpected and unexplained deaths of patients

Abstract

Unexpected and unexplained deaths of epilepsy patients account for about 4 to 30% of epilepsy deaths, and the cause of death has not yet been fully clarified. The author studied 37 such death cases that had autopsies performed in a certain place from 1969 to 1973. Cases were selected based on the following criteria: (1) A history of epilepsy was known from family members or relatives. (2) Autopsy showed no acute myocardial infarction, recent coronary embolism or similar serious heart disease; no foreign body aspiration in the mouth, throat, trachea, bronchi and lungs; no trauma. (3) Examination of tissue and blood specimens collected at autopsy cannot reveal morphological, chemical, or toxicological evidence to appropriately explain the cause of death. (4) Cadaver blood phenytoin sodium and phenobarbital concentrations have been measured. (5) Did not die in the hospital. (6) It is determined not to be status epilepticus based on the reports of witnesses or on-site examiners