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Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that affects 1% of the population. One
third of patients with epilepsy will not respond to antiseizure medications. The most effective
treatment when a patient has medically resistant epilepsy is epilepsy surgery. Unfortunately, in
many cases surgery is not possible. Neuromodulation is a therapy used in those patients and
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is the most common type. There are many studies focusing on
seizure reduction using VNS, it is still unclear which patients will obtain the greatest benefits.
Objective: To define the seizure response post-VNS implantation, to determine predictive
factors associated with good outcomes after VNS implantation and to evaluate complications
and side effects. Analysis will be completed in the total sample of VNS cases, in the paediatric
subgroup, in medically resistant generalized epilepsy and pregnant women implanted with VNS.
Patients & Methods: Patients with medically resistant epilepsy implanted with VNS at the
London Health Science Centre-Western University, from 1997 to July 2018.
Results: 1) VNS in epilepsy: 114 patients were included. Median seizure rate reduction was -
67.8% and 55.6% (n=41) had a ≥50% seizure reduction. There was a reduction of hospitalization
after VNS implantation from 89.5% (n=102) to 45.6% (n=52). 5.3% (n=6) developed side effects
associated with the implantation; and side effects were reported in 63.2% (n=72). 2) Paediatric
Group: 22 patients were included. The median age when the VNS was implanted was 13. A ≥50%
seizure reduction was achieved in 50% (n=11) and the median seizure reduction was -75%. Side
effects were detected in 54.5% (n=12). 3) 46 patients were included in this study with a history
of medically resistant generalized epilepsy. The mean age at implantation was 24 years-old. Of
the LGS group 41.7% (n=12) of patients had an overall seizure reduction of ≥50%, and in the GGE
group 64.7% (n=11) had a seizure reduction of ≥50%. There was a significant reduction of
seizure-related hospital admissions. 4) Four patients and seven pregnancies were included. The
median duration since implantation was 3.17 years. Three required c-sections, one related to
failure to progress, the second due to pre-eclampsia and the third due to breach presentation.
All babies were healthy, except one with developmental delay of unclear severity.
Conclusion: 1) VNS can reduce the number of seizures by 50% in more than half of the patients
implanted. VNS has shown a reduction in hospitalization. It is a safe therapy with frequent mild
side effects. 2) The paediatric population obtained similar results compared to the total sample.
3) VNS should be considered as a treatment in patients with therapy resistant generalized
epilepsy, especially in cases with GGE. 4) Our small sample suggests VNS is a relatively safe
therapy during pregnancy, however, larger sample series should be collected.
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