Keywords

Vagus Nerve Stimulation; Heart Failure; Functional Outcomes; Autonomic Modulation; Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Globally, Heart Failure (HF) is a significant cause for concern. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an emerging therapy for patients with HF. It involves the activation of efferent vagal signals, which result in the release of acetylcholine (ACh). In practice, VNS has obtained relatively mixed results in clinical trials so far. In order to ascertain the extent of the effects VNS has on functional clinical outcomes, this meta-analysis consolidates studies that involve patients with Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Outcomes were measured through the change in mean heart rate (HR) and six-minute walking distance in meters (6MWD) as well as the improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Electronic databases were searched methodically for VNS studies conducted on patients with HF that include a functional metric of clinical outcome. The data suggested a 56% greater likelihood of improvement in NYHA class compared to sham stimulation and a statistically significant mean improvement in 6MWD over the course of six months, indicating that VNS may offer long-term functional benefits for patients with HF. The data did not support any significant change in HR (neither short- nor long-term) or 6MWD in the short-term.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Cheng, Zixi

College

College of Medicine

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Biomedical Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright