The Effect of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) on Cerebral Vasospasm Secondary to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The Effect of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) on Cerebral Vasospasm Secondary to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The significance of developing a safe and effective therapy for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients suffering cerebral vasospasm (CVS) cannot be overstated. Vasospasm - a clamping down of normal arteries in the days following rupture - remains incredibly challenging to treat.1,2 Current drugs and minimally invasive surgical therapies are helpful, yet woefully insufficient. Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm afflicts about 30% of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients and nearly half will go on to suffer a stroke, despite aggressive medical care.1-3 The autonomic nervous system is a balance between sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) influence with sympathetic overactivity and inflammation shown to play an important role in the development and severity of cerebral vasospasm.4,5,17-20 Prior studies of autonomic nervous system neuromodulation highlight its promise as a promising potential avenue to improve morbidity and mortality from CVS in aSAH.6-15 Despite progress, continued high levels of CVS morbidity and mortality stress the urgent need for exploration of neuromodulation therapy.

In this proposal, the study team will modulate the autonomic nervous system function in aSAH patients using transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS). tVNS involves placement of a stimulation electrode on the external ear to non-invasively stimulate a branch of the vagal nerve and increase parasympathetic influence. This device has FDA approval for epilepsy and cluster headache.

The study hypothesis is that neuromodulation of the autonomic nervous system with tVNS (increasing parasympathetic influence) reduces sympathetic overactivity and inflammation in aSAH resulting in decreased morbidity of CVS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provision of signed and dated informed consent
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• Male or Female
• 18-65 years of age
• Diagnosed with Fisher grade 3 or 4 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Ability to undergo endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
• For females of reproductive potential: negative pregnancy test at time of treatment.
• Plan to undergo standard of care treatment and follow-up

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medically unfit to undergo endovascular treatment (e.g., Hunt Hess grade 5)
• Does not provide consent
• Posterior circulation aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Initial aneurysm treatment after post bleed day 1