The effect of long-term Levetiracetam use on changes in ECG in patients with Pediatric epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular side-effects and arrhythmias can also be observed during levetiracetam use. The effects of levetiracetam on cardiac conduction and electrophysiology, and the probable effect mechanism are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare PR interval, QTc, QT interval, and QRS duration parameters on electrocardiography (ECG) performed before and on the second year of treatment, in patients diagnosed with epilepsy and started on levetiracetam monotherapy. Methods: The files of 20 patients diagnosed with epilepsy who were started on levetiracetam therapy were examined in this study. Clinical findings, electroencephalography, cranial magnetic resonance imaging and ECG data of the cases before and at the twenty-fourth month of treatment were recorded. Results: Twenty patients aged between five and 17 years (12.65±3.50) took part in the study. Comparison of the ECGs performed before the patients started treatment and in the second year of treatment revealed a pre-treatment mean QT value of 0.327±0.018 and a post-treatment value of 0.349±0.023. The increase was statistically significant (p=0.009). Comparison of pre- and post-treatment ECG parameters in terms of sex revealed that the pre-treatment PR interval was longer in males (p=0.031) and the QTc interval was longer in females (p=0.020). Conclusion: Studies involving more cases are needed to examine the effects of long-term use of levetiracetam on the ECG.