Key result
Implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator successfully terminated refractory status epilepticus in a 23-year-old man, allowing weaning from sedative agents and full recovery.
Why the study?
Does vagal nerve stimulation terminate refractory status epilepticus in a patient failing medical therapy?
Case Report (n=1)
Does vagal nerve stimulation terminate refractory status epilepticus in a patient failing medical therapy?
Vagal nerve stimulation may be an effective intervention for terminating refractory status epilepticus when medical treatments fail.
May support VNS consideration in refractory status epilepticus after medical failure; single case leaves open need for controlled trials.
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Status epilepticus (SE) refractory to medical treatment has a high mortality rate and few effective treatments. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We describe the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator to help terminate a case of refractory SE. A 23-year-old man was in SE for 3 weeks without being able to be weaned from intravenous anesthetic agents. After implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator, SE soon terminated, and the patient could be weaned from sedative agents and made a full recovery. CONCLUSION Vagal nerve stimulator should be considered in cases of refractory SE. ABBREVIATIONS EEG: electroencephalogram GTCS: generalized tonic-clonic seizure SE: status epilepticus VNS: vagal nerve stimulator
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O’Neill et al. (2011) conducted a case report in Refractory Status Epilepticus (n=1). Vagal nerve stimulator was evaluated on Termination of status epilepticus and weaning from sedative agents. Implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator successfully terminated refractory status epilepticus in a 23-year-old man, allowing weaning from sedative agents and full recovery.
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