Efficacy and safety of vagal nerve stimulation in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy
Abstract
Stimulation of the vagal nerve is an effective treatment option in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Objective: to analyze the efficacy and safety of the Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) procedure in patients suffering from pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Materials and Methods: The study included 13 patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, aged 5 to 38 years. Results: among these patients, 25% reported a decrease in the number of epileptic seizures within one-month time after the first session of VNS. The efficacy of the treatment improved with a prolonged use of the VNS-therapy. Despite the long duration of the current pharmacoresistant form of epilepsy in most patients, a decrease in the severity of epileptic seizures and post-seizure disorientation was noted. Side effects of VNS-therapy were recorded in 38.5% of patients; in those, a correction of VNS parameters was performed. This approach allowed us to maintain the effective VNS-therapy and correct the arising side effects. Conclusion: vagal stimulation is an effective non-pharmacological option in patients with pharmacoresistant therapy who have contraindications for surgical treatment. The VNS-therapy reduces the occurrence rate of epileptic seizures by >50% in 20-50% of patients. The VNS therapy has a good long-term efficacy in patients of any age. Stimulation of the vagal nerve is usually well tolerated.
About the Authors
I. G. Areshkina
Voino-Yasenetskii Krasnoyarsk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
MD, PhD Student, Assistant at the Department of Medical Genetics and Clinical Neurophysiology, IPO
Author ID (SCOPUS) 55413907300
1 Partizana Zheleznyaka Str., Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
D. V. Dmitrenko
Voino-Yasenetskii Krasnoyarsk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
MD, PhD, Head of the Neurological Center for Epileptology and Neurogenetics, University Hospital; Head of the Department of Medical Genetics and Clinical Neurophysiology, IPO
1 Partizana Zheleznyaka Str., Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
N. A. Shnayder
Bechterev National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Neurology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
MD, PhD, Professor, Leading Scientific Officer, Department of Neurology and Personal Psychiatric Care
Elibrary ID: 185359; SPIN-код: 6517-0279; Researcher ID: M-7084-2014; Scopus ID: 24503222300
3 Bechterev Str., St Petersburg, 192019, Russia
E. A. Narodova
Voino-Yasenetskii Krasnoyarsk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
MD, PhD, Assistant at the Department of Nervous Diseases and Medical Rehabilitation
Scopus ID: 57203353014
1 Partizana Zheleznyaka Str., Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
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For citation:
Areshkina I.G., Dmitrenko D.V., Shnayder N.A., Narodova E.A. Efficacy and safety of vagal nerve stimulation in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Epilepsy and paroxysmal conditions. 2019;11(1):27-36. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2077-8333.2019.11.1.27-36
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