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Samanta D. Efficacy and Safety of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A Scoping Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:905. [PMID: 39201840 PMCID: PMC11352554 DOI: 10.3390/children11080905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant seizures, cognitive impairments, and abnormal electroencephalographic patterns. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a widely used neuromodulation therapy for LGS, but its effects on seizure outcomes, different seizure types, non-seizure outcomes, and adverse events in this population have not been comprehensively reviewed. To conduct a scoping review on the use of VNS in LGS, a literature search was performed in PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, and Embase from inception to 9 June 2024, using relevant keywords and without restrictions on study design. The search yielded forty eligible studies (twenty-four retrospective cohorts, fourteen prospective cohorts, and two registry analyses) comprising 1400 LGS patients treated with VNS. No randomized controlled trials were identified. Across studies, the median seizure reduction ranged from 20.6% to 65%, with 0% to 100% of patients achieving a ≥50% seizure reduction. No consistent preoperative biomarker of VNS responsiveness was identified in LGS. Although inconsistent among different studies, tonic, atonic, and tonic-clonic seizures responded best, while focal seizures responded worst. Improvements in seizure severity, alertness, and quality of life were reported in some studies, but cognitive and adaptive functioning generally remained unchanged. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient, including hoarseness, cough, and paresthesia. Device-related complications and infections were uncommon. In conclusion, further research is needed to better understand VNS's position in the evolving LGS treatment landscape and its cost effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debopam Samanta
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
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Ma Y, Lehman N, Crutcher R, Young W, Horvat D. Complications and Mortality Rate of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. Cureus 2024; 16:e63842. [PMID: 39099993 PMCID: PMC11297726 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to evaluate the complications and mortality associated with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent VNS implantation for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) between 2000 and 2023. The mean follow-up time was 10.6 years, ranging from three months to 22 years. RESULTS In total, 55 adult and pediatric patients received VNS therapy with 117 procedures performed over 23 years. The most common early complications were hoarseness and cough which were reported in eight adult patients (6.8%). Four children with intellectual disability (ID) had infection (3.4%), eight patients had lead breakage (6.8%), and two had device migration (1.7%). Four of all patients (7.3%) demonstrated late complications due to chronic nerve stimulation including vocal cord dysfunction, late-onset severe AV block, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Three patients (5.5%) had VNS deactivated permanently due to complications and/or lack of efficacy. Two patients died from probable sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) with an incidence of 3.4/1000 person-years. CONCLUSIONS VNS therapy is safe over long-term follow-up but not without risks. Most post-operative complications are minor and transient for adults. Children with ID tend to have infection and device migration. Late-onset cardiac complications and OSA can develop in some patients during VNS therapy and should not be overlooked. The SUDEP rate may decrease with VNS therapy over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Ma
- Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - Nicholas Lehman
- Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - Robert Crutcher
- Pediatric Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - William Young
- Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - David Horvat
- Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, USA
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Seth J, Couper RG, Burneo JG, Suller Marti A. Effects of vagus nerve stimulation on the quality of sleep and sleep apnea in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: A systematic review. Epilepsia 2024; 65:73-83. [PMID: 37899679 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective was to systematically evaluate the current evidence surrounding the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on quality of sleep and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with epilepsy. METHODS A literature search was conducted using the Embase and MEDLINE databases. Studies were included if they involved patients with drug-resistant epilepsy treated with VNS and used validated tools to report on quality of sleep or sleep apnea. The literature search yielded 112 citations related to VNS and sleep quality, and 82 citations related to sleep apnea. Twelve articles were included in the review, of which five measured quality of sleep among patients who underwent VNS, six studies measured sleep apnea, and one study measured both outcomes. RESULTS Studies measuring quality of sleep used different methods, including sleep quality questionnaires and the percentage of sleep in each cycle. Studies also varied in patient populations, the use of control groups, and whether multiple measurements were taken for each patient. Some studies found improved sleep quality after VNS, whereas others found reductions in deep sleep stages. Additionally, mixed results in sleep quality were found when comparing patients with epilepsy who received VNS treatment versus patients with epilepsy who did not receive VNS treatment. Variables such as VNS intensity and age could potentially confound quality of sleep. Studies measuring sleep apnea consistently found increased proportions of patients diagnosed with OSA or increased sleep index scores after VNS implantation. SIGNIFICANCE Overall, the effect of VNS on quality of sleep remains unclear, as studies were very heterogeneous, although the effect on sleep apnea has consistently shown an increase in sleep apnea severity indices after VNS implantation. Future studies with consistent measures and discussions of confounding are required to determine the effect of VNS on quality of sleep, and the effect of VNS parameters should be further explored among patients who develop sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayant Seth
- Clinical Neurological Sciences Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Grace Couper
- Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jorge G Burneo
- Clinical Neurological Sciences Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana Suller Marti
- Clinical Neurological Sciences Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
- Paediatrics Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Psychiatric Department, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Morano JM, Uejima JL, Tung A, Rosenow JM. Management strategies for patients with neurologic stimulators during nonneurologic surgery: an update and review. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2023; 36:461-467. [PMID: 37552004 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to summarize the perioperative management of noncardiac implanted electrical devices (NCIEDs) and update the anesthesiologist on current recommendations for management when a NCIED is encountered during a nonneurosurgical procedure. RECENT FINDINGS Indications for NCIEDs continue to expand, and increasing numbers of patients with NCIEDs are presenting for nonneurosurgical procedures. Recent case reports demonstrate that NCIEDs may meaningfully affect perioperative management including use of electrocautery and neuromonitoring. This review highlights the importance of evaluating NCIED function (including lead impedance) prior to surgery, provides an update on the MRI compatibility and safety of these devices, and reviews the management of patients with altered respiratory drive because of vagal nerve stimulators. SUMMARY As the prevalence of NCIEDs in patients presenting for surgery increases, anesthesiologists will likely encounter these devices more frequently. To provide a well tolerated anesthetic, anesthesiologists should recognize the concerns associated with NCIEDs and how best to address them perioperatively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Avery Tung
- The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Shaib F. Neurologic Disorders in Women and Sleep. Neurol Clin 2023; 41:297-314. [PMID: 37030959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disorders in women remain underrecognized and underdiagnosed mainly because of gender bias in researching and characterizing sleep disorders in women. Symptoms of common sleep disorders are frequently missed in the general female population and are expected to be further overlooked because of overlapping symptoms in women with neurologic disorders. Given the bidirectional relationship with sleep and neurologic disorders, it remains critical to be aware of the presentation and impact of sleep disorders in this patient population. This article reviews available data on sleep disorders in women with neurologic disorders and discusses their distinctive features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidaa Shaib
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, McNair Campus, 7200 Cambridge Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Joyal KG, Kreitlow BL, Buchanan GF. The role of sleep state and time of day in modulating breathing in epilepsy: implications for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:983211. [PMID: 36082111 PMCID: PMC9445500 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.983211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of death among patients with refractory epilepsy. While the exact etiology of SUDEP is unknown, mounting evidence implicates respiratory dysfunction as a precipitating factor in cases of seizure-induced death. Dysregulation of breathing can occur in epilepsy patients during and after seizures as well as interictally, with many epilepsy patients exhibiting sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The majority of SUDEP cases occur during the night, with the victim found prone in or near a bed. As breathing is modulated in both a time-of-day and sleep state-dependent manner, it is relevant to examine the added burden of nocturnal seizures on respiratory function. This review explores the current state of understanding of the relationship between respiratory function, sleep state and time of day, and epilepsy. We highlight sleep as a particularly vulnerable period for individuals with epilepsy and press that this topic warrants further investigation in order to develop therapeutic interventions to mitigate the risk of SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn G. Joyal
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Kreitlow
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Gordon F. Buchanan
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: Gordon F. Buchanan
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