Patel, Amour BU;
Weber, Valentin;
Gourine, Alexander;
Ackland, Gareth L;
(2022)
The potential for autonomic neuromodulation to reduce perioperative complications and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
British Journal of Anaesthesia
, 128
(1)
pp. 135-149.
10.1016/j.bja.2021.08.037.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autonomic dysfunction promotes organ injury after major surgery through numerous pathological mechanisms. Vagal withdrawal is a key feature of autonomic dysfunction, and it may increase the severity of pain. We systematically evaluated studies that examined whether vagal neuromodulation can reduce perioperative complications and pain. METHODS: Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Clinical Trials for studies of vagal neuromodulation in humans. Risk of bias was assessed; I2 index quantified heterogeneity. Primary outcomes were organ dysfunction (assessed by measures of cognition, cardiovascular function, and inflammation) and pain. Secondary outcomes were autonomic measures. Standardised mean difference (SMD) using the inverse variance random-effects model with 95% confidence interval (CI) summarised effect sizes for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: From 1258 records, 166 full-text articles were retrieved, of which 31 studies involving patients (n=721) or volunteers (n=679) met the inclusion criteria. Six studies involved interventional cardiology or surgical patients. Indirect stimulation modalities (auricular [n=23] or cervical transcutaneous [n=5]) were most common. Vagal neuromodulation reduced pain (n=10 studies; SMD=2.29 [95% CI, 1.08-3.50]; P=0.0002; I2=97%) and inflammation (n=6 studies; SMD=1.31 [0.45-2.18]; P=0.003; I2=91%), and improved cognition (n=11 studies; SMD=1.74 [0.96-2.52]; P<0.0001; I2=94%) and cardiovascular function (n=6 studies; SMD=3.28 [1.96-4.59]; P<0.00001; I2=96%). Five of six studies demonstrated autonomic changes after vagal neuromodulation by measuring heart rate variability, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, or both. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect vagal neuromodulation improves physiological measures associated with limiting organ dysfunction, although studies are of low quality, are susceptible to bias and lack specific focus on perioperative patients.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The potential for autonomic neuromodulation to reduce perioperative complications and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.bja.2021.08.037 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2021.08.037 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Neuromodulation; Parasympathetic dysfunction; Organ injury; Perioperative care; Surgery; Critical care |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Neuro, Physiology and Pharmacology UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10150471 |
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