Effects of Low-Level Tragus Stimulation on Endothelial Function in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autonomic dysregulation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction plays a major role in endothelial dysfunction. Low-level tragus stimulation (LLTS) is a novel, noninvasive method of autonomic modulation.

Methods and results

We enrolled 50 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤40%) in a randomized, double-blinded, crossover study. On day 1, patients underwent 60 minutes of LLTS with a transcutaneous stimulator (20 Hz, 200 μs pulse width) or sham (ear lobule) stimulation. Macrovascular function was assessed using flow-mediated dilatation in the brachial artery and cutaneous microcirculation with laser speckle contrast imaging in the hand and nail bed. On day 2, patients were crossed over to the othe

SUBMITTER: Dasari TW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9473302 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature