‘Runaway’ vagal nerve stimulator: a case of cyclic asystole
نویسندگان
چکیده
A vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) is a device designed to prevent seizures in patients with drug-refractory epilepsy by providing high-frequency (20–30 Hz) electrical stimulation of the left vagus nerve, activating vagal nerve afferent fibers that carry signals to the brain and reduce seizure activity. Similar to a cardiac pacemaker, the device generator is implanted in the left subpectoral area. A single lead is then attached to the left vagus nerve in the patient’s neck with a cuff, which provides pulsatile electrical stimulation. The device provides cyclical electrical stimulation every 30–300 seconds, and output can be increased by application of a magnet to the chest wall to abort a seizure for patients who experience premonitory symptoms.
منابع مشابه
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www.aana.com/aanajournalonline.aspx Despite numerous medications designed to eliminate or decrease seizures, an estimated 20% of epileptic patients in the United States remain refractory to these agents. Vagal nerve stimulation can decrease the number of seizure episodes. In 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first implantable stimulation device for the treatment of medicall...
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