scholarly journals Vagal nerve stimulation in patients with refractory epilepsy. Effect on seizure frequency, severity and quality of life

Seizure ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 442-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.I Morrow ◽  
E Bingham ◽  
J.J Craig ◽  
W.J Gray
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Seizure Frequency ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Efficacy of Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Children with Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Neurosurgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1353-1358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravish V. Patwardhan ◽  
Benjamin Stong ◽  
E. Martina Bebin ◽  
Jan Mathisen ◽  
Paul A. Grabb
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Seizure Frequency ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Seizure Type ◽  
Seizure Reduction ◽  
Medically Refractory Epilepsy

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The effects of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) on seizure frequency and quality of life were analyzed retrospectively in children with medically refractory epilepsy. METHODS Thirty-eight children aged 11 months to 16 years underwent implantation of vagal nerve stimulators. Age of seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, and seizure type and frequency were recorded preoperatively. Age at implantation, length of follow-up, seizure type and frequency, and change in quality of life (QOL) were recorded postoperatively. Changes in QOL were assigned a QOL score by the caretakers on a visual analog scale of −1 (much worse) to +1 (much improved). RESULTS The median follow-up period was 12 months (range, 10–18 mo). Eleven (29%), 15 (39%), 5 (13%), and 7 (18%) children had greater than 90% reduction, 50 to 90% reduction, less than 50% reduction, and no reduction in seizure frequency, respectively. For all children, seizure reduction by seizure type was as follows: atonic (80%), absence (65%), complex partial (48%), and generalized tonicoclonic (45%). The mean change in QOL score was 0.61. Eighty-six percent of the children had QOL scores of 0.5 (improved) or higher. Follow-up of at least 6 months was associated with greater seizure reduction (P = 0.05) and higher QOL score (P < 0.01). Seizure reduction was greater in children with onset of epilepsy after 1 year of age (P < 0.05). The age of the child and duration of epilepsy were not associated with greater or lesser degrees of seizure reduction. CONCLUSION VNS provided improvements in seizure control for the majority of children regardless of age. QOL was improved in the majority of children with VNS. VNS should be considered for children with medically refractory epilepsy who have no surgically resectable focus.

scholarly journals Impact of vagal nerve stimulation on quality of life in drug-resistant epilepsy

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Tohanean ◽  
◽  
Cristina Pinzaru ◽  
Luminita Mirea ◽  
Lacramioara Perju-Dumbrava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Drug Resistant Epilepsy

scholarly journals The Effect of Vagal Nerve Stimulation on the Quality of Life in Pediatric Cases

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Hande Gazeteci Tekin ◽  
Sezen Köse ◽  
Sarenur Gökben ◽  
Serpil Erermiş ◽  
Tuncer Turhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulation

scholarly journals The long-term outcome of children with refractory epilepsy after a vagal nerve stimulator implantation: CHU Sainte-Justine experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (S1) ◽  
pp. S7-S7
Author(s):  
ML Kaseka ◽  
LS Carmant ◽  
E Desplats ◽  
L Crevier ◽  
P Major ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Frequency ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Hospitalization Rate ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Nerve Stimulator ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulator ◽  
The Impact

Background: Debate persists in Canada about the cost and benefit of vagal nerve stimulation in patients with refractory epilepsy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a vagal nerve stimulator on the seizure frequency and the admission rate of children with refractory epilepsies over five years of follow-up. Methods: 52 patients were implanted between 2000-2013. Of these, 37 were followed at CHU Sainte-Justine and 21 kept seizure diaries. Seizure frequency was compared to the baseline at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 60 months of follow up using a multivariate ANOVA analysis. The hospitalization rate was calculated as the mean difference between the number of hospitalizations prior to and after the implantation. Results: Seizure frequency decreased by 58% at 6 months, by 61% at 12 months, by 53% at 24 months and by 63% at 60 months of follow up respectively compared to the baseline (p<0.001). The hospitalization rate decreased by 50.87% after surgery (p<0.001). Conclusion: In our population, vagal nerve stimulation has a sustained impact on seizure frequency and hospitalization rates. This supports previous data from our group and others on cost-effectiveness of the technique in children with refractory epilepsy.

Vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy: a review of the current literature

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. E12 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Connor ◽  
Menarvia Nixon ◽  
Anil Nanda ◽  
Bharat Guthikonda
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Vagal Nerve ◽  
Vagal Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Class I ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Surgical Evaluation ◽  
Pediatric Populations ◽  
Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Object The authors conducted a study to evaluate the published results of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) for medically refractory seizures according to evidence-based criteria. Methods The authors performed a review of available literature published between 1980 and 2010. Inclusion criteria for articles included more than 10 patients evaluated, average follow-up of 1 or more years, inclusion of medically refractory epilepsy, and consistent preoperative surgical evaluation. Articles were divided into 4 classes of evidence according to criteria established by the American Academy of Neurology. Results A total of 70 publications were reviewed, of which 20 were selected for review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 2 articles that provided Class I evidence, 7 that met criteria for Class II evidence, and 11 that provided Class III evidence. The majority of evidence supports VNS usage in partial epilepsy with a seizure reduction of 50% or more in the majority of cases and freedom from seizure in 6%–27% of patients who responded to stimulation. High stimulation with a gradual increase in VNS stimulation over the first 6 weeks to 3 months postoperatively is well supported by Class I and II data. Predictors of positive response included absence of bilateral interictal epileptiform activity and cortical malformations. Conclusions Vagal nerve stimulation is a safe and effective alternative for adult and pediatric populations with epilepsy refractory to medical and other surgical management.

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