This paper provide data on the alterations of cardiovascular functioning in epilepsy, discussed in the context of cerebrocardial syndrom following brain damage. The role of different components of the central autonomic network, in particular the insular cortex, the amygdaloid complex and the orbitofrontal cortex, in the regulation of cardiovascular functioning is assessed. Different cardiac rhythm disturbances (bradycardias, tachycardias, including life-threatening ones) and ischemic myocardial lesions can be induced by the damage of the aforementioned structures of the central nervous system, depending of the localisation and lateralization of the seizure focus.
The study of cardiovascular performance both in ictal and interictal periods in
patients with brain lesions, as well as the effects of antiepileptic drugs on the
cardiovascular functioning will enable the prevention of severe outcomes of the
epileptic seizures and the improvement of the life quality of the patients.