Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction

Neurology. 2001 Feb 27;56(4):561-3. doi: 10.1212/wnl.56.4.561.

Abstract

The authors prospectively assessed drug reduction and patient satisfaction in 21 patients using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy and compared results to a case-matched control group with a mean follow-up of 13.2 months. Significant antiepileptic drug (AED) reduction occurred in 9/21 (42.9%) of VNS patients averaging 0.43 AED/patient, with dose reduction in four patients (19.0%). For 12/21 (57.1%) patients not reducing AED, dose reduction occurred in 6/21 (28.6%). Drug and dose reduction of AED is possible in patients using VNS for refractory epilepsy without loss of seizure control and with improved patient satisfaction.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Vagus Nerve / physiology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants