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Treating heart failure by targeting the vagus nerve
Francesco Gentile1,2, Giulia Orlando3, Sabrina Montuoro3
1Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy. frage1993@gmail.com.
Heart Failure Reviews
|August 8, 2024
Summary
Chronic heart failure involves autonomic imbalance, with reduced parasympathetic activity worsening outcomes. This review explores neuromodulation strategies targeting the vagus nerve for heart failure treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Autonomic imbalance, characterized by increased sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic nerve activity, is linked to chronic heart failure progression and adverse outcomes.
- Reduced heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity indicate vagal dysfunction and hold prognostic value in heart failure patients, even with contemporary treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in chronic heart failure.
- To describe the pathophysiological basis, assessment methods, and therapeutic strategies for parasympathetic stimulation in heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on parasympathetic nervous system function in chronic heart failure.
- Analysis of current and emerging neuromodulation strategies, including pharmacological and bioelectronic approaches.
Main Results:
- Parasympathetic dysfunction is a significant factor in chronic heart failure pathophysiology and prognosis.
- Current neuromodulation strategies targeting the vagus nerve have shown mixed results, necessitating further research.
Conclusions:
- Parasympathetic stimulation presents a potential therapeutic avenue for chronic heart failure.
- Further investigation into drug-based and device-based vagal nerve stimulation is crucial to optimize treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Baroreflex sensitivityHeart failureHeart rate variabilityNeuromodulationParasympathetic nervous systemVagus nerveVagus nerve stimulationMore Related Videos
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