Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction

Citation
Wo. Tatum et al., Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction, NEUROLOGY, 56(4), 2001, pp. 561-563
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
NEUROLOGY
ISSN journal
00283878 → ACNP
Volume
56
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
561 - 563
Database
ISI
SICI code
0028-3878(20010227)56:4<561:VNSADR>2.0.ZU;2-S
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 reductio n in four patients (19.0%). For 12/21 (57.1%) patients not reducing AED, do se reduction occurred in 6/21 (28.6%). Drug and dose reduction of AED is po ssible in patients using VNS for refractory epilepsy without loss of seizur e control and with improved patient satisfaction.