Vagus nerve stimulation therapy induces changes in heart rate of children during sleep

Boubker Zaaimi*, Reinhard Grebe, Patrick Berquin, Fabrice Wallois

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzed changes in the heart rates of children receiving vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Methods: Changes in the heart rates of ten children receiving VNS therapy for pharmacoresistant epilepsy were evaluated with polysomnographic recordings, including electrocardiogram (ECG), EEG, thoraco-abdominal distension, nasal airflow, and VNS artifacts. Measurements during stimulation were compared with those at baseline for each patient. Result: While the VNS therapy pulse generator was delivering stimulation, the heart rates of four children increased significantly (p < 0.01), decreased for one child, and increased at the end of the stimulation for one child. The heart rates of four children did not change. Changes in heart rate varied during VNS, within stimulation cycles for individual children and from one child to another. Changes in heart rate differed between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM (NREM) sleep states. Respiratory changes (increases in frequency and decreases in amplitude) were concomitant with the changes in heart rate. Conclusion: In this case series of children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, cardiorespiratory variations occurred while the VNS therapy pulse generator was delivering stimulation. Understanding these variations may allow further optimization of VNS parameters.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)923-930
Number of pages8
JournalEpilepsia
Volume48
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2007

Keywords

  • Epilepsy
  • Heart rate
  • Respiration
  • Vagus nerve stimulation

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