Re: VNS & Pacemaker Implants

[Guest guest]

They are normally on the patient's left side.

Steve Dralle

--------------------------

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

VNS & Pacemaker Implants

Last weekend I attended a seminar on the subject of vagus nerve

stimulation therapy, where a small, pacemaker-like device is

implanted on the left side of the chest, leads attached to the left

vagus nerve, and seizure activity is diminished or ends completely.

In my limited career as a volunteer, I could swear that I have cared

for cardiac patients whose pacemakers were also placed on the left

chest. Am I dreaming or are all cardiac pacemakers right-chest

implants?

If not, as VNS therapy becomes more prevalent, [there are research

studies in progress, investigating the effect of the VNS therapy foe

clinical depression] there could be some issues for pre-hospital

providers, especially with a non-responsive patient and limited

access to patient history.

Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

So there is the possibility that someone could encounter both a

cardiac pacemaker AND VNS. Or confuse the presence of the VNS device

as a pacemaker, until a cardiac strip is obtained.

The insertion of the VNS involves a 2nd incision made, usually in the

crease of the neck for the leads to be connected to the vagus

nerve. There is an emphasis on cosmetically placing those leads and

minimize the scarring. My thought is that it could be difficult to

identify the VNS device, vs a cardiac pacemaker.

> They are normally on the patient's left side.

> Steve Dralle

> --------------------------

> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

>

>

> VNS & Pacemaker Implants

>

> Last weekend I attended a seminar on the subject of vagus nerve

> stimulation therapy, where a small, pacemaker-like device is

> implanted on the left side of the chest, leads attached to the left

> vagus nerve, and seizure activity is diminished or ends completely.

>

> In my limited career as a volunteer, I could swear that I have

cared

> for cardiac patients whose pacemakers were also placed on the left

> chest. Am I dreaming or are all cardiac pacemakers right-chest

> implants?

>

> If not, as VNS therapy becomes more prevalent, [there are research

> studies in progress, investigating the effect of the VNS therapy

foe

> clinical depression] there could be some issues for pre-hospital

> providers, especially with a non-responsive patient and limited

> access to patient history.

>

> Thoughts?

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

So there is the possibility that someone could encounter both a

cardiac pacemaker AND VNS. Or confuse the presence of the VNS device

as a pacemaker, until a cardiac strip is obtained.

The insertion of the VNS involves a 2nd incision made, usually in the

crease of the neck for the leads to be connected to the vagus

nerve. There is an emphasis on cosmetically placing those leads and

minimize the scarring. My thought is that it could be difficult to

identify the VNS device, vs a cardiac pacemaker.

> They are normally on the patient's left side.

> Steve Dralle

> --------------------------

> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

>

>

> VNS & Pacemaker Implants

>

> Last weekend I attended a seminar on the subject of vagus nerve

> stimulation therapy, where a small, pacemaker-like device is

> implanted on the left side of the chest, leads attached to the left

> vagus nerve, and seizure activity is diminished or ends completely.

>

> In my limited career as a volunteer, I could swear that I have

cared

> for cardiac patients whose pacemakers were also placed on the left

> chest. Am I dreaming or are all cardiac pacemakers right-chest

> implants?

>

> If not, as VNS therapy becomes more prevalent, [there are research

> studies in progress, investigating the effect of the VNS therapy

foe

> clinical depression] there could be some issues for pre-hospital

> providers, especially with a non-responsive patient and limited

> access to patient history.

>

> Thoughts?

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

So there is the possibility that someone could encounter both a

cardiac pacemaker AND VNS. Or confuse the presence of the VNS device

as a pacemaker, until a cardiac strip is obtained.

The insertion of the VNS involves a 2nd incision made, usually in the

crease of the neck for the leads to be connected to the vagus

nerve. There is an emphasis on cosmetically placing those leads and

minimize the scarring. My thought is that it could be difficult to

identify the VNS device, vs a cardiac pacemaker.

> They are normally on the patient's left side.

> Steve Dralle

> --------------------------

> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

>

>

> VNS & Pacemaker Implants

>

> Last weekend I attended a seminar on the subject of vagus nerve

> stimulation therapy, where a small, pacemaker-like device is

> implanted on the left side of the chest, leads attached to the left

> vagus nerve, and seizure activity is diminished or ends completely.

>

> In my limited career as a volunteer, I could swear that I have

cared

> for cardiac patients whose pacemakers were also placed on the left

> chest. Am I dreaming or are all cardiac pacemakers right-chest

> implants?

>

> If not, as VNS therapy becomes more prevalent, [there are research

> studies in progress, investigating the effect of the VNS therapy

foe

> clinical depression] there could be some issues for pre-hospital

> providers, especially with a non-responsive patient and limited

> access to patient history.

>

> Thoughts?

>

>

>

>

>

>