Vagus nerve stimulation reduces cardiac electrical instability assessed by quantitative T‐wave alternans analysis in patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy

The cardiac component of risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and alterations in cardiac risk by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are not well understood. We determined changes in T‐wave alternans (TWA), a proven noninvasive marker of risk for sudden cardiac death in patients with cardiovascular disease, and heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of autonomic function, in association with VNS in patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy.

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