Vagus Nerve Stimulation and the Cardiovascular System

The vagus nerve plays an important role in maintaining physiological homeostasis, which includes reflex pathways that regulate cardiac function. The link between vagus nerve activity and the high-frequency component of heart rate variability (HRV) has been well established, correlating with vagal tone. Recently, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been investigated as a therapeutic for a multitude of diseases, such as treatment-resistant epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and asthma. Because of the vagus nerve's innervation of the heart, VNS has been identified as a potential therapy for cardiovascular disorders, such as cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke. Here, we review the current state of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as the potential application of VNS in relation to the cardiovascular system.