Vagus nerve stimulation may be used in the therapy of myocarditis

Summary 

Although a large number of different causes have been identified as leading to myocarditis, inflammation plays a pivotal role in its pathological process. No specific methods are available in the therapy of myocarditis except symptomatic treatment. Vagus nerve stimulation has been found to lower the heart rate and recover the normal heart rhythm which may relieve the cardiac symptoms in myocarditis. Furthermore, the acetylcholine that secreted by vagus nerve stimulation was found to inhibit the production of such inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Based on the above, we hypothesized that vagus nerve stimulation can be used in the therapy of myocarditis and lead to relief of symptoms and inhibition of inflammatory process which may kill two birds with one stone.