Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Enhanced Stroke Recovery: The VALOR Registry

Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Enhanced Stroke Recovery: The VALOR Registry

Vagal Nerve Stimulation is a novel proven therapy for patients with chronic ischemic stroke. The primary objective of this registry is to assess the safety of vagal nerve stimulation for stroke recovery through monitoring the occurrence of serious adverse events associated with the surgical procedure or subsequent paired rehabilitation protocol. This registry will monitor patients undergoing VNS for stroke recovery in the Mount Sinai Health System and collect clinical and procedural details, objective outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes associated with vagal nerve stimulation for stroke recovery.

The Vagal Nerve Stimulation device implantation is a common, standardized neurosurgical procedure that has been performed for over two decades for the treatment of epilepsy and depression and has recently been approved for chronic ischemic stroke. The intended purpose of this registry is to monitor the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of vagal nerve stimulation for stroke recovery. This will be accomplished by monitoring the occurrence of serious adverse events associated with the surgical procedure or subsequent paired rehabilitation protocol. The secondary objectives of this study focus on the feasibility and efficacy of employing vagal nerve stimulation for ischemic stroke recovery, as well as obtaining qualitative data on the experience associated with stroke rehabilitation paired with VNS. Additional research questions regarding vagal nerve stimulation for stroke recovery may be addressed as well.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
• Stated willingness to comply with all procedures in the VNS-Enhanced Stroke Recovery Program
• Aged 18 or older
• History of ischemic stroke
• Upper extremity weakness
• Planned to undergo VNS implantation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unfavorable candidacy for device implant surgery (e.g., history of adverse reactions to anesthetics, poor surgical candidate in surgeon's opinion, prior injury to the vagus nerve etc.).
• Medical or mental instability (diagnosis of personality disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse) that would prevent the subject from meeting protocol timeline.