Vagal nerve stimulator complication
Background
- Used to treat refractory epilepsy
- Pulse generator implanted in chest, electric lead attached to vagus nerve in neck
- Generator stimulates vagal nerve at regular intervals
- Does NOT stimulate right vagus nerve (which innervates heart)
- Implanted in the chest with a single lead stimulating the left vagus nerve. It does not stimulate the right vagus nerve which innervates the heart
Clinical Features
Differential Diagnosis
Complications:
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of Breath
- Pharyngitis
- Infection
- Parasthesias
- Insomnia
- Excessive Pain