The Lead Episode 126: A Discussion of Transcutaneous Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Suppress Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Crossover, Randomized Clinical Trial (NoVa-PVC)

Join host and Digital Education Committee Member Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS for this lively discussion with his colleagues Charles A. Henrikson, MD, MPH, FHRS and Arun R. Mahankali Sridhar, MBBS, MPH, FACC.

About this Article:

In patients with symptomatic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) refractory to medical therapy, non-invasive low-level tragus stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve significantly reduced median PVC burden compared to sham stimulation (median reduction ~13.4% vs ~8.6%; P = 0.021). The findings suggest that autonomic neuromodulation via transcutaneous vagal stimulation may offer a novel adjunctive therapy for frequent PVCs, although further larger trials are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the rationale and mechanism by which transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) may modulate autonomic tone and reduce premature ventricular contractions.
• Summarize the design, methods, and key outcomes of the NoVa-PVC randomized crossover trial evaluating tVNS for symptomatic PVC reduction.
• Evaluate the clinical implications, limitations, and potential future applications of noninvasive neuromodulation as a therapeutic approach for ventricular arrhythmias.

Article Authors

Stefanos Zafeiropoulos MD, MBA, Kristie Coleman MPH, RN, Jonathan Kogan,Dimitrios Varrias MD, Jonas Leavitt BS, Alexandra Bekiaridou MD, Theodoros Zanos PhD, Stavros Zanos PhD, MD, Stavros Stavrakis PhD, MD, Stavros Mountantonakis MD, MBA


Podcast Contributors

Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS
Charles A. Henrikson, MD, MPH, FHRS
Arun R. Mahankali Sridhar, MBBS, MPH, FACC

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Host Disclosure(s):

S. Saha

•Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Medtronic

​Contributor Disclosure(s):

C. Henrikson

•Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: American College of Cardiology

A. Sridhar

•Nothing to disclose.

Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner):

S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.