Key result
Vagus nerve stimulation fails to alter blood pressure in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy cases.
Why the study?
The influence of parasympathetic stimulation with vagus nerve stimulation on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy was not well characterized.
Does vagus nerve stimulation reduce blood pressure and heart rate in pediatric patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy?
Case Report (n=2)
No
Does vagus nerve stimulation reduce blood pressure and heart rate in pediatric patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy?
Vagus nerve stimulation did not significantly alter blood pressure in two normotensive pediatric patients with epilepsy, though it may influence heart rate.
No basis to alter VNS practice in pediatric epilepsy; leaves open possible heart rate effects for prospective study.
Aim: to study the influence of parasympathetic stimulation with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.Methods: 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was done in two patients before and after the VNS device's surgical implantation.Results: Mean BP in older patients was 106.1/66.8mmHg before and 105.0/64.5 mmHg post VNS device implantation.Mean BP in younger patients was 97.1/58.1 mmHg before and 101.0/60.8mmHg post-implantation.The difference in mean BP was statistically non-significant in both patients.Mean HR in the older patients was 77 beats per minute (bpm) before and 71 bpm post-VNS device implantation, a statistically significant difference (p=0.009).Mean HR in the younger patients was 84 bpm before and 83 bpm post-implantation, a statistically non-significant difference.Conclusions: The vagus nerve stimulation did not result in a significant change of BP in both patients.However, it causes a substantial reduction in HR in one of them.
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A 2023 study conducted a case report in Pharmacoresistant epilepsy (n=2). Vagus nerve stimulation vs. Baseline (before implantation) was evaluated on Mean blood pressure. Vagus nerve stimulation did not result in a significant change in blood pressure in two pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, but caused a significant reduction in heart rate in one patient.
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