Erika Pietzsch
Tanzania
Research Article
Efficacy of Neuromodulation Therapy with Vagus Nerve Stimulator in Patients
with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy on Unchanged Antiepileptic Medication Regimen
for 24 Months Following the Implant
Author(s): Sirichai Chayasirisobhon, Leslie Cahan, SooHo Choi, Bruce Enos, Jane Hwang, Meei Lin, Erika Pietzsch, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Benjamin Spurgeon and Suresh GurbaniSirichai Chayasirisobhon, Leslie Cahan, SooHo Choi, Bruce Enos, Jane Hwang, Meei Lin, Erika Pietzsch, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Benjamin Spurgeon and Suresh Gurbani
To establish efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy in the treatment of intractable epilepsy, we
compared outcome data from the baseline period to the maintenance period (7 to 24 months post-implant) by
calculating the mean seizure frequency at 6-month intervals (7 to 12 months - first study period, 13 to 18 months -
second study period, and 19 to 24 months - third study period), in 39 consecutive patients on unchanged antiepilepsy
drug (AED) regimen for 24 months following the VNS implant. Of the 39 patients24 (61.5%) at first study
period, 25 (64.1 %) at second study period and 25 (64.1 %) at third study period were responders (≥50% reduction
in seizures). Twenty one (53.9 %) patients were responders in all three study periods. Incremental seizure control
was seen in 15 of these 21 patients. Although 3 (7.7%), 4 (10.3 %).. View More»
