Clinical Research
The efficacy of implant vagus nerve stimulation for intractable epilepsy
Wang Xian, Li Liping, Yu Tao, Wang Yuping, Liu Aihua
Published 2018-10-08
Cite as Chin J Neurol, 2018,51(10): 819-823. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1006-7876.2018.10.008
Abstract
ObjectiveTo identify the efficacy and safety of implant vagus nerve stimulation (IVNS) for intractable epilepsy.
MethodsEligible patients with intractable epilepsy during 2012-2015 were enrolled, and the information of preoperative evaluation was collected as baseline. During IVNS therapy, the process of seizures, the epileptic discharges of electroencephalogram (EEG), the complications and the changes of antiepileptic drugs or device parameters were recorded. The responder rate, the mean seizure reduction and the change of epileptic discharges were chosen as the indictors.
ResultsEfficacy analyses were done in 33 patients, and the average age of these patients was 17.79 years. Seizure control improved over time with mean seizure reduction of 11.9%, 17.3%, 35.5%, 38.1%, 45.4% and 50.0%, and responder rates of 18.2% (6/33) , 27.3% (9/33) , 41.4% (12/29) , 38.5% (10/26) , 7/18, and 10/17 at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months of IVNS therapy, respectively. In addition, the mean epileptic discharge reduction in EEG was 0.4% and 13.0%, while the rate of patients who had epileptic discharge reduction of ≥50% was 15.3% and 23.1% at 6, 12 months of IVNS therapy, respectively.
ConclusionsIVNS is effective and safe. Furthermore, the efficacy of IVNS is time-dependent.
Key words:
Vagusnervestimulation; Electricstimulation therapy; Epilepsy; Electroencephalography
Contributor Information
Wang Xian
Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
Li Liping
Yu Tao
Wang Yuping
Liu Aihua