Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Following Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether non-invasive auricular vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) can reduce inflammatory markers and improve outcomes in patients who have experienced spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study aims to understand how auricular VNS affects inflammation in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, as well as its impact on clinical events like cerebral vasospasm and stroke during hospital stay. The study also follows participants' functional recovery for up to two years after discharge. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving auricular VNS twice daily using a device that stimulates the vagus nerve through the ear, and the other receiving a sham stimulation where the device is applied without active stimulation. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples are collected on admission and repeatedly during the hospital stay, which lasts about four weeks on average. Clinical events such as the need for cerebrospinal fluid shunting and stress-induced cardiomyopathy are monitored. Throughout the study, researchers assess inflammatory markers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid on admission and over the hospital stay. They track cerebral vasospasm, hydrocephalus, cerebral ischemia, and heart complications during hospitalization. Functional outcomes are evaluated at discharge and during follow-up visits extending up to two years. This thorough monitoring helps understand the safety and potential effects of auricular VNS for patients recovering from spontaneous SAH.

Auricular VNS Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage