the Impact of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Tongji University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Treatments: Device: transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation; Device: Sham (no implant)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06991283

2025YS-063

Details and patient eligibility

About

The acute mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reduced significantly due to emergency reperfusion and subsequent treatment strategies. However, it remains a major cause of disability and death globally. Recent studies have shown that systemic inflammation is associated with infarct size and adverse clinical outcomes after myocardial infarction. Therefore, attenuating the inflammatory response may be a therapeutic target for acute coronary syndromes and improve clinical outcomes. Preclinical and clinical data indicate that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) plays an important role in reducing the inflammatory burden and improving myocardial ischemia. However, more clinical evidence is needed to elucidate the role of VNS in patients with acute myocardial infarction and its impact on cardiovascular events. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of vagal nerve modulation intervention through a prospective, randomized controlled clinical research method.

Enrollment: 278 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

**Inclusion Criteria**

1. Age between 18 and 80 years old (including 18 and 80 years old).
2. Patients with acute myocardial infarction who have undergone revascularization of the culprit vessel within 24 hours of onset.
3. Willing to participate in this study and have signed the informed consent form.

**Exclusion Criteria**

1. Hemodynamically unstable, with cardiogenic shock, requiring medication to maintain blood pressure and heart rate.
2. Baseline systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure <40 mmHg.
3. Average heart rate under monitoring <50 beats per minute.
4. Patients with II or III degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sick sinus syndrome who have not had a permanent pacemaker implanted.
5. Baseline (before the use of antiarrhythmic drugs) QTc interval ≥500 ms, PR interval >280 ms.
6. Patients who are participating in other clinical studies.
7. Other reasons deemed by the investigator as unsuitable for participation in this study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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278 participants in 2 patient groups

Control group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Patients in this arm will receive standard care according to the guidelines after AMI. Vagus nerve stimulation is delivered through a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device by attaching an ear clip to the tragus. But no stimulation will be delivered.

Treatment:

Device: Sham (no implant)

Stimulation Group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients in this arm will receive standard care according to the guidelines after AMI. Vagus nerve stimulation is delivered through a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device by attaching an ear clip to the tragus. The stimulation will be performed twice daily, each session lasting for half an hour. The stimulation times are fixed between 07:00-09:00 in the morning and 19:00-21:00 in the evening, with an interval of 12 hours between the two sessions. The device is set with a pulse width of 200 microseconds and a pulse frequency of 20 hertz. The stimulation intensity is individually adjusted to above the perception threshold and below the discomfort level of 1 milliampere.

Treatment:

Device: transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation