TREAT AF (Transcutaneous Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Suppress Atrial Fibrillation): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study was a sham-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial to examine the effect of chronic low level tragus stimulation (LLTS) in patients with paroxysmal AF.

Background

Low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus (LLTS) acutely suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans, but the chronic effect remains unknown.

Methods

LLTS (20 Hz, 1 mA below the discomfort threshold) was delivered using an ear clip attached to the tragus (active arm) (n = 26) or the ear lobe (sham control arm) (n = 27) for 1 h daily over 6 months. AF burden over 2-week periods was assessed by noninvasive continuous electrocardiogram monitoring at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Five-minute electrocardiography

SUBMITTER: Stavrakis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7100921 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature