Vagus nerve stimulation

I recently saw a an article about a clinical trial for reducing afib episodes. The study had participants attach a clip to the tragus on their ear with a tens unit. The vagus nerve travels through the side of the body and this area stimulates the nerve.They had the people use the device for an hour a day for 6 months. The participants had an 85% reduction in the number of afib attacks they had. I can't find a trial in my area but I do have a tens unit and I bought some ear clips online the other day. I am going to do my own trial at home and see if it helps. I am willing to try anything at this point. I have read that there are other benefits as well with acupuncture and acupressure with the ear.
Has anyone else heard of this method?

I only wish I knew about this when I was experiencing paroxysmal a-fib.
In December I had a touch up a-fib ablation done along with another arrhythmia ablated and unfortunately my Vagus nerve was damaged. The ganglia fibers that control the para sympathetic drive are absent now so I have no “rest and digest” function. Had I known this was a consequence of ablations, I never would have done it. I’m looking at a drastic procedure now because of this horrible mistake. I’m only 59.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2019 03:02PM by ajr1960.

There's another post about this on the site that had a bit more information. Search and I'm sure you can find it.

ajr1960, I've read a lot about vagus nerve damage post ablation.

Is it possible that your problem will go away with more time? I've ready about healing times of 6 months - 1yr

I don't know about vagus nerve being damaged by ablation, but it sounds strange for me.
I was vagal afibber before any procedure. I'm still after 4. I don't think it's related, but I'm no doctor.

A number of studies online about damage to the vagus nerve during Ablation if you google. Might give you some up to date information on the treatments.

If I recall correctly Prof Sabine Ernst (Royal Brompton in London UK) deliberately targets certain vagal ganglia as part of some of her procedures (subsequent procedures after previous PVI) - presumably where episodes have been vagally rather than adrenergically mediated.
For PVI procedures, most ablatees report increased resting HR (10-20 BPM over pre-PVI) that typically resolves over 6 to 12 months - presumably this is due to some collateral damage to vagal nerve ganglia as a result of creating PVI lesions.

Hi, this sounds interesting. I may check it out because, 2 years post-ablation and I'm almost regretting it.

Prior to ablation I had 3 episodes of afib over a 6 months period. Ended up in emergency for the last 2 before I was finally diagnosed. Had ablation 4 months after 3rd episode and 6 months on I thought all was back to 'normal'.

But at this point in time, although I have not - yet - since had afib again I have awful ectopics that are vagally stimulated. I struggle to lie on either side in bed without getting them, if i eat too much = ectopics, if I get a bit bloated = ectopics; if I am a bit stressed = ectopics.

I have other health issues since too and that also kicks the ectopics off. I had a monitor on for a week a couple of months ago that picked up minor ectopics (typically) but they've become almost as disruptive as the occasional episode of afib now.