Abstracts

Rationale: To analyze efficacy and safetiness data in children less than 18 years old with pharmacoresistan epilepsy treated with adjunctive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in Venezuela Methods: 43 patients 26M (60,5%) 17F (39,5%) were retrospectively evaluated between 2000 and 2008. Mean age: 13,04 /- 4,35 (5- 17); 17 (39,5%) were ? 12 years. Mental retardation was observed in 36 patients (84%), and Autism was present in 6 subjects (14%). Age at epilepsy onset: 3,44 /- 3,53 (0-12), Duration of epilepsy by the time of implant: 9,85 /-4,06 (2-16,4 years) Time of follow up: 1,92 /-1,75 (0,5-8 years) Number of AED: 3 /- 0,86 (2-5). Twenty eight patients had partial seizures and 15 had multiple types of seizures. Seizures were counted at baseline and after 6 months, 12 months and 24 months of VNS Therapy. VNS parameters: Output: 1,57 /- 0,41 (0,25-3 mA), On time: 24,81 /- 9,58 (7-30 sec), Off time: 3,6 /-1,93 (0,3-5 min). Results: Mean number of seizures Pre-VNS: 200.2 /-241.9 (2-1200/month) Post-VNS: 62,47 /- 98,9 (0,5-450/month). 76.7% of patients had a decrease of 50% in the frequency of seizure and 28% of subjects had a seizure reduction of more than 90%. Magnet effect YES: 30 (69.8%) NO: 13 (30.2%). More alert: 18 patients (41-8%). Side effects: 11.6%. Best response was observed in Symptomatic LGS. Conclusions: 1-Median seizure reduction was 70% after 6 months. 2-Seizure reduction ? 50%: 76% and ? 90%: 28% after 6 months 2- Forty one (41%) of patients reported to be more alert post VNS therapy 3-Positive magnet effect was observed in 69% of cases. 4- Best response was observed in symptomatic LGS.