title: Vagal stimulation by manual carotid sinus massage to acutely suppress seizures.
abstract: Carotid sinus massage, a technique involving digital pressure on the richly innervated carotid sinus, is a time-honoured method for termination of supraventricular tachycardia due to paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Vagal nerve stimulation, a more recent technique, employs pacemaker stimulation of the vagus as a treatment for refractory epilepsy. This case report discusses the use of carotid sinus massage to abort seizure activity. The patient used manual manipulation of the carotid sinus (similar to cardiology techniques) to suppress seizures, achieving a therapeutic neurological outcome.
authors: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J3.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Laine Green
authors: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J3. Electronic address: donald.weaver@dal.ca.
authors: Donald F
authors: DF
authors: Weaver
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Carotid body; Epilepsy; Seizure; Vagal stimulation; Vagus nerve