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Ventricular asystole during vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy in humans
W O Tatum1, D B Moore, M M Stecker
1Department of Neurology, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida, USA. WOTIV@aol.com
Neurology
|April 24, 1999
Abstract:
Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, a recently available option for patients with refractory epilepsy, has demonstrated safety and efficacy. We report four patients with refractory epilepsy who experienced ventricular asystole intraoperatively during initial testing for implantation of the vagus nerve stimulator. Acute intraoperative vagus nerve stimulation may create ventricular asystole in humans. Extracorporeal cervical vagus nerve stimulation testing with continuous EKG monitoring intraoperatively before generator implantation is warranted.