To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of right-sided vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders and significant cardiac complications, highlighting its potential as a novel treatment option.
Key Findings:
Significant and lasting mood stabilization was observed in all patients within approximately 12 months post-implantation, following extensive treatment failures.
Hospital admission rates decreased markedly, and maintenance electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was reduced or discontinued in two cases.
No clinically significant bradyarrhythmia or serious cardiac adverse events were reported during right-sided stimulation.
Interpretation:
Right-sided VNS may be a viable alternative for patients with treatment-resistant mood disorders who have contraindications for left-sided implantation, demonstrating potential for mood stabilization and reduced hospitalizations, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary coordination.
Limitations:
Small sample size limits generalizability of findings.
Lack of long-term data on the effectiveness and safety of right-sided VNS, particularly in diverse patient populations.
Conclusion:
Right-sided VNS shows promise in managing treatment-resistant mood disorders, warranting further systematic evaluation in larger studies to confirm its efficacy and safety, as well as to explore optimal candidate selection.
