Vol 17, No 6 (2010)
Technology Note
Submitted: 2013-01-14
Published online: 2010-12-08
Vagus nerve stimulation: A new approach to reduce heart failure
Helmut U. Klein, Gaetano M. De Ferrari
Cardiol J 2010;17(6):638-643.
Vol 17, No 6 (2010)
Technology notes
Submitted: 2013-01-14
Published online: 2010-12-08
Abstract
Autonomic imbalance with increased adrenergic and reduced parasympathetic activity is
involved in the development and progress of heart failure (HF). Experimental data have
demonstrated that stimulation of the vagus nerve is able to reverse ventricular remodeling of
the failing heart. There is also evidence that increasing parasympathetic activity may stimulate
the production of nitric oxide, and reduce the devastating inflammatory process involved in
HF. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been successfully applied for many years to treat drug
resistant epilepsy. The first study of right vagus stimulation in patients with advance HF has
proven the feasibility and safety of this new approach. Long term follow-up of increased vagal
tone over 12 months with a specially designed stimulating system (CardioFit, BioControl,
Yehud, Israel) has demonstrated that symptoms of HF can be significantly diminished, left
ventricular ejection fraction increased, and ventricular volumes reduced. These recently published
data are very promising and may offer another approach for patients with advanced HF
already treated with optimal medical therapy. A prospective randomized trial with a larger
patient cohort is needed to confirm these beneficial results of VNS. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 6: 638-643)
Abstract
Autonomic imbalance with increased adrenergic and reduced parasympathetic activity is
involved in the development and progress of heart failure (HF). Experimental data have
demonstrated that stimulation of the vagus nerve is able to reverse ventricular remodeling of
the failing heart. There is also evidence that increasing parasympathetic activity may stimulate
the production of nitric oxide, and reduce the devastating inflammatory process involved in
HF. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been successfully applied for many years to treat drug
resistant epilepsy. The first study of right vagus stimulation in patients with advance HF has
proven the feasibility and safety of this new approach. Long term follow-up of increased vagal
tone over 12 months with a specially designed stimulating system (CardioFit, BioControl,
Yehud, Israel) has demonstrated that symptoms of HF can be significantly diminished, left
ventricular ejection fraction increased, and ventricular volumes reduced. These recently published
data are very promising and may offer another approach for patients with advanced HF
already treated with optimal medical therapy. A prospective randomized trial with a larger
patient cohort is needed to confirm these beneficial results of VNS. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 6: 638-643)
Keywords
vagus nerve stimulation; heart failure; autonomic imbalance
Title
Vagus nerve stimulation: A new approach to reduce heart failure
Journal
Cardiology Journal
Issue
Vol 17, No 6 (2010)
Article type
Technology Note
Pages
638-643
Published online
2010-12-08
Page views
985
Article views/downloads
4373
Bibliographic record
Cardiol J 2010;17(6):638-643.
Keywords
vagus nerve stimulation
heart failure
autonomic imbalance
Authors
Helmut U. Klein
Gaetano M. De Ferrari
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