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Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy: long term efficacy and side-effects.
Chin Med J (Engl). 2004 Jan; 117(1):58-61.CM

Abstract

BACKGROUND

In general vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can serve as an adjunctive treatment for patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. And we evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of VNS in a group of Chinese patients with refractory epilepsy.

METHODS

Of 127 patients with refractory epilepsy, 13 patients who were not eligible for surgical intervention were implanted with the Cyberonics VNS system. Seizure frequency, physical examination and side effects profile were recorded at follow-up visits for a minimum of 18 months.

RESULTS

Mean duration of treatment was 47.4 months, and the longest follow-up period was 71 months. Mean baseline seizure frequency was 26.6 seizures per month. The mean percentage reductions in convulsions were 33.2%, 47.1% and 40.0% at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively. One patient became seizure free, and six (46%) had 50% or more reduction in seizure frequency. Response was poor (< 20% reduction) in five patients (39%). Side effects were uncommon.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of VNS was sustained and was well tolerated but benefited only a sub-group of patients with intractable convulsions.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Hui AC
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. cfhui@cuhk.edu.hk
Lam JM
No affiliation info available
Wong KS
No affiliation info available
Kay R
No affiliation info available
Poon WS
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentAdultElectric Stimulation TherapyEpilepsyFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleProspective StudiesProstheses and ImplantsTreatment OutcomeVagus Nerve

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

14733774

Citation

Hui, Andrew Che Fai, et al. "Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy: Long Term Efficacy and Side-effects." Chinese Medical Journal, vol. 117, no. 1, 2004, pp. 58-61.
Hui AC, Lam JM, Wong KS, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy: long term efficacy and side-effects. Chin Med J (Engl). 2004;117(1):58-61.
Hui, A. C., Lam, J. M., Wong, K. S., Kay, R., & Poon, W. S. (2004). Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy: long term efficacy and side-effects. Chinese Medical Journal, 117(1), 58-61.
Hui AC, et al. Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Epilepsy: Long Term Efficacy and Side-effects. Chin Med J (Engl). 2004;117(1):58-61. PubMed PMID: 14733774.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy: long term efficacy and side-effects. AU - Hui,Andrew Che Fai, AU - Lam,Joseph Man Kuen, AU - Wong,Ka Shing, AU - Kay,Richard, AU - Poon,Wai Sing, PY - 2004/1/22/pubmed PY - 2004/5/5/medline PY - 2004/1/22/entrez SP - 58 EP - 61 JF - Chinese medical journal JO - Chin Med J (Engl) VL - 117 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: In general vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can serve as an adjunctive treatment for patients with refractory partial-onset seizures. And we evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of VNS in a group of Chinese patients with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: Of 127 patients with refractory epilepsy, 13 patients who were not eligible for surgical intervention were implanted with the Cyberonics VNS system. Seizure frequency, physical examination and side effects profile were recorded at follow-up visits for a minimum of 18 months. RESULTS: Mean duration of treatment was 47.4 months, and the longest follow-up period was 71 months. Mean baseline seizure frequency was 26.6 seizures per month. The mean percentage reductions in convulsions were 33.2%, 47.1% and 40.0% at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively. One patient became seizure free, and six (46%) had 50% or more reduction in seizure frequency. Response was poor (< 20% reduction) in five patients (39%). Side effects were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of VNS was sustained and was well tolerated but benefited only a sub-group of patients with intractable convulsions. SN - 0366-6999 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/14733774/Vagus_nerve_stimulation_for_refractory_epilepsy:_long_term_efficacy_and_side_effects_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -