Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Implantation Surgery for Abdominal Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Recording Studies in Awake Rats
Published on: January 19, 2024
Late-onset advanced heart block due to vagal nerve stimulation
Alex Schevchuck1, Michael B West
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
Abstract:
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is widely accepted as an effective and safe therapy for refractory seizure disorders. Significant cardiac complications, such as complete heart block or symptomatic bradycardia, are extremely rare. We present a case report of a 40-year-old man with drug-resistant epilepsy, treated with VNS, who developed the late-onset (12 months after implant), stimulation-related, symptomatic advanced heart block that was initially misinterpreted for a new type of seizure. The patient was otherwise free from other stimulation-related side effects. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of late-onset advanced heart block due to VNS.
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