Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Neurostimulation is one manifestation of neuromodulation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This manuscript reviews the history of neurostimulation of the GI tract with emphasis on current methods of stimulation. ⋯ GI neurostimulation, as a type of neuromodulation, has been demonstrated to function at several locations in the GI tract for a variety of disorders. The future of neurostimulation in the GI tract will likely be influenced by a better understanding of pathophysiology as well as the development of new techniques and devices for neuromodulation.
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Case Reports
Spinal cord stimulation for electrical storm refractory to conventional medical treatment: an emerging indication?
To observe the effect of thoracic spinal cord stimulation with dual octipolar epidural electrodes on episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in a patient with nonischemic familial cardiomyopathy and severe electrical storm refractory to conventional medical treatment. ⋯ Spinal cord stimulation may play an important therapeutic role in the treatment of refractory electrical storm when conventional medical treatments have failed. The mechanism by which stimulation of the spinal cord confers a therapeutic effect is not completely understood, although direct modulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic tone in the cardiac conduction system is most likely, based on animal models of ischemia-induced ventricular tachycardia.
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The aim of this review is to make specialists in a variety of disciplines familiar with basic aspects of spinal cord stimulation and the role of mathematical modeling in understanding its mechanisms of action and the solution of basic problems. ⋯ In particular the conclusions from several computer simulation studies are relevant and of interest to specialists in many disciplines.