Vagus nerve stimulation and drug reduction.
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.
Tampa General Hospital Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, FL, USA. WOTIV@aol.com
W O
WO
Tatum
K D
KD
Johnson
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S
Goff
J A
JA
Ferreira
F L
FL
Vale
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants