|
Based on the evidence indicating that VNS Therapy is safe and
effective for long-term seizure control and has quality-of-life
benefits, Wheless and Maggio developed a rational treatment algorithm
for using VNS Therapy in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
The algorithm limits the number of AED trials to 2 monotherapy and
1 polytherapy trial before nonpharmacologic options are considered.
This approach is based on evidence that initial response to AEDs
is predictive of pharmacoresistant epilepsy, that early treatment
with VNS Therapy improves seizure control and quality of life, and
that considering nonpharmacologic options sooner may avoid unnecessary
attempts with AEDs that are associated with untoward side effects
and cognitive impairment.1
1Wheless JW, Maggio
V. Neurology. 2002;59(suppl 4):S21-S25
|
|
© Cyberonics, Inc. 2007
|