CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Vagal nerve stimulation
NEUROSTIMULATION
At HCA UK, we offer vagal nerve stimulation — an advanced treatment which can improve seizures
What is vagal nerve stimulation?
Vagal nerve stimulation is where the vagus nerve is stimulated through a mild electrical current.
This is normally used to reduce the frequency and severity of intractable epilepsy but there are other potential applications for depression, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
The electrical current comes from a tiny, implanted generator.
Need to know
Vagal nerve stimulation is carried out under general anaesthetic. Your consultant surgeon will implant the pulse generator under the skin in your chest, using small incisions. Your surgeon will then connect the device to the vagus nerve (the left vagus nerve, as the right carries nerves to the heart) using very fine wire under the skin. The device will be activated after you have recovered from surgery.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. You'll be having general anaesthetic for this procedure and should be able to go home the same day. Please make sure someone is able to collect you from the hospital.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
When you've recovered from your vagal nerve stimulation, your consultant will activate the device. They will show you how to use it and when to switch it off.
This device will send mild electrical pulses through to the vagus nerve and then to the brain, modifying the signal. This can reduce the severity and frequency of epileptic attacks, severe depression and even symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Our Vagal nerve stimulation locations
Devonshire Diagnostic Centre
13-19 Devonshire Street Marylebone W1G 7AF London
Chelsea Outpatients
280 King's Road SW3 5AW London
Chiswick Outpatients
Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road W4 4HS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Patient stories
Hear from past patients about their experience
Alan's story
Despite years of experiencing heart problems that just wouldn’t go away, Alan was apprehensive about having a surgical procedure. But with the expertise of his consultant and the latest cardiac technology, he decided to go ahead.
Andrew's story
“I couldn’t move my legs at all, and my arms only partially. But now I can walk six miles. I wouldn’t have got that without the physio team at The Christie Private Care, I simply wouldn’t have.”
How a second opinion helped uncover a hidden cardiac problem
Former Olympic swimmer, Adrian, was used to prioritising his physical wellbeing and continued to exercise regularly, keeping him in good health into his 60s. But when he got out of the pool one day, he noticed that something wasn’t right.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.