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Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
Published in: Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research 3/2014

01-04-2014

Vagal Stimulation in Heart Failure

Author: Gaetano M. De Ferrari

Published in: Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research | Issue 3/2014

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Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is accompanied by an autonomic imbalance that is almost always characterized by both increased sympathetic activity and withdrawal of vagal activity. Experimentally, vagal stimulation has been shown to exert profound antiarrhythmic activity and to improve cardiac function and survival in HF models. A open-label pilot clinical study in 32 patients with chronic HF has shown safety and tolerability of chronic vagal stimulation associated with subjective (improved quality of life and 6-min walk test) and objective improvements (reduced left ventricular systolic volumes and improved left ventricular ejection fraction). Three larger clinical studies, including a phase III trial are currently ongoing and will evaluate the clinical role of this new approach.
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Metadata
Title
Vagal Stimulation in Heart Failure
Author
Gaetano M. De Ferrari
Publication date
01-04-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1937-5387
Electronic ISSN: 1937-5395
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-014-9540-1

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