Authors:
Milica Milošević
1
;
Steven Vandeput
1
;
Sabine Van Huffel
1
;
Katrien Jansen
2
and
Lieven Lagae
2
Affiliations:
1
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
;
2
University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Belgium
Keyword(s):
Refractory epilepsy, Heart rate variability, Nonlinear HRV parameters, Vagus nerve stimulation.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Applications and Services
;
Biomedical Engineering
;
Biomedical Signal Processing
;
Cardiovascular Signals
;
Computer Vision, Visualization and Computer Graphics
;
Medical Image Detection, Acquisition, Analysis and Processing
;
Physiological Processes and Bio-Signal Modeling, Non-Linear Dynamics
Abstract:
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-known therapeutic option for patients with refractory epilepsy who do not respond to adequate anti-epileptic drugs. Heart rate variability (HRV) is mediated by sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent activities which always interact towards the heart. Our goal was to describe the link between autonomic nervous system (ANS) and HRV. In 18 epileptic children, ECG data were obtained before and after implantation of the VNS. HRV was measured by linear and nonlinear parameters during 50 minute epochs during phase 2 of sleep and deep sleep. Results of the patients were compared with those of an age and sex matched control group. We were able to confirm that vagus nerve stimulation do not influence heart rate in children with refractory epilepsy. After the VNS implantation, there is a shift in sympathovagal balance towards sympathetic predominance in phase 2 of sleep (p=0.177) and also during deep sleep (p=0.035). This study suggests that left vagus
nerve stimulation has little effect on heart rate variability as measured by nonlinear parameters.
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