By Annette Pinder

According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 6 cardiovascular disease deaths in the U.S. is due to stroke. In 2022, the stroke death rate was 39.5 per 100,000 people. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of stroke every 3 minutes and 11 seconds. Yearly, over 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke; 1 in 4 have had a previous stroke. About 87% are ischemic strokes, in which blood flow to the brain is blocked, causing paralysis and impaired mobility due to disruption of the flow of nerve impulses between the brain and muscles, which can damage or destroy brain cells, affecting their ability to send signals for movement.

The leading cause of serious long-term disability and reduced mobility in over half of survivors aged 65 and older, 90% of stroke-affected people experience paralysis. Traditional stroke rehabilitation involves physical therapy to increase mobility. But a new FDA-approved device is changing outcomes for ischemic stroke survivors by combining vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with occupational or physical therapy to increase neuroplasticity (brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life) and improve hand and arm function. Available at UB Neurosurgery, on an outpatient basis, the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System (Vivistim) is significantly improving upper extremity motor function in chronic ischemic stroke survivors. Prior to Vivistim, treatment options for chronic stroke were minimal. Patients were told they might never improve beyond the function they regained six months post-stroke.

How it Works.

The Vivistim device is placed under the left side of the chest during an outpatient procedure, and activated during therapy sessions by an occupational therapist or physical therapist. A gentle pulse stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting neuroplasticity and strengthening neural pathways that control arm and hand movement.

Benefits of Paired VNS with Vivistim.

Vivistim helps the brain create or strengthen new neural connections, and improve motor and hand and arm function, even after the device is no longer used. It improves upper limb function 2-3 times more than traditional rehabilitation therapy alone, and helps the brain relearn motor skills after stroke.

Long-Term Outcomes.

Vivistim benefits can be maintained for years. Through the self-activated program, patients receive a magnet to activate vagus nerve stimulation while performing daily activities or therapy exercises. Their improvement years after stroke is promising for brain neuroplasticity and future stroke rehabilitation clinical trials.

Contraindications.

Vivistim cannot be used in patients who have had a bilateral or left cervical vagotomy (cutting of the vagus nerve in the neck). While safe and effective, potential side effects may include pain, hoarseness, or throat irritation. For full safety information, visit www.vivistim.com/safety.

Candidates for the life-changing Vivistim device have suffered from chronic ischemic stroke and moderate to severe upper extremity motor impairment. UBNS is one of a few U.S. centers performing the procedure at an outpatient center in which patients return home within 2-3 hours.

“As we embark on a new era of neurorestoration, my team at UBNS is committed to bringing novel neurotech, such as Vivistim, to our patients and community,” says Elad Levy MD, MBA FACS, FAHA, UBNS Chairman.