Vagus nerve stimulation therapy: 5-year or greater outcome at a university-based epilepsy center. Seizure 2004 Dec;13(8):587-90
Date
11/03/2004Pubmed ID
15519919DOI
10.1016/j.seizure.2004.01.009Scopus ID
2-s2.0-9244244796 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 68 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study documented long-term outcome of patients receiving vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
METHODS: Medical charts of 28 patients implanted for 5 years or longer were reviewed for changes in seizure frequency after 1 year of VNS therapy and at follow up, which ranged from 5 to 7 years. Numbers of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) taken by the patients were also computed at 1 year and follow up. One patient had died and one had discontinued VNS therapy; data were available for 26 patients.
RESULTS: The median percent change in seizure frequency from baseline increased from -28% (P = 0.0053, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) at 12 months to -72% (P < 0.0001) at follow up. Some patients whose seizure frequency was not reduced during the initial 12 months of VNS therapy did experience reductions in seizure frequency during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, the effectiveness of VNS therapy increased over time. Physicians should be aware that response to VNS therapy may be delayed for some patients.
Author List
Spanaki MV, Allen LS, Mueller WM, Morris GL 3rdAuthor
Wade M. Mueller MD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Ambulatory Care
Anticonvulsants
Child
Child, Preschool
Electric Stimulation Therapy
Electrodes, Implanted
Epilepsy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Retrospective Studies
Universities
Vagus Nerve
