This prospective study included 61 patients with intractable epilepsy who received ketogenic diet for at least 12 months. Clinical examinations, serum carnitine and selenium levels as well as electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations were scheduled prior to the procedure and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. We utilized two-dimensional, M-mode, colored Doppler, spectral Doppler and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging techniques to investigate ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of this subgroup of patients.
In our study, there was no significant difference after 1 year of KD therapy compared to baseline values—except a significantly decreased A wave velocity—in terms of pulse wave Doppler echocardiographic measurements of the diastolic function. The tissue Doppler measurements obtained from the lateral wall of tricuspide and mitral annuli were not different at baseline and at month 12 of the treatment, as well.
The ketogenic diet appears to have no disturbing effect on ventricular functions in epileptic children in the midterm.