[Auricular vagal stimulation in the treatment of patients with left ventricular dysfunction].

We assessed effect of enhancement of parasympathetic activity by indirect vagal stimulation via sensitive n. vagus-r. auricularis terminals on dynamics of clinical conditions, ejection fraction and global longitudinal left ventricle deformation in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency (CCI). This comparative placebo-controlled parallel study 3 months in duration included 70 patients with chronic coronary heart disease, signs of IIl-IV FC CCI, and sinus rhythm. Auricular electric vagal stimulation (AEVS) was performed using a device for electric stimulation of sensitive vagus terminals (patent No 2327492 of 27.06.2008). The complex of clinical and instrumental studies included 6 min walk test, echocardiography, and speckle tracking imaging before, immediately and 3 months after AEVS. A course of AEVS improved clinical conditions in 58 (92.06%) of the 63 patients due to one-grade or greater decrease of CCI FC and increase of the walking distance. This effect persisted till month 3. It was absent in 5 (8.33%) patients. Improvement of clinical conditions with the decrease of CCI FC was accompanied by increase of left ventricular ejection fraction due to diminished end-systolic volume. The ejection fraction did not change in 4 patients with HR over 80/min. All patients with lowered HR after AEVS showed improved LV contractility in the longitudinal direction.