Efeitos Cardiovasculares da Estimulação Elétrica do Nervo Vago: Uma Revisão Sistemática

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.82082126020110

• Palavras-chave: estimulação do nervo vago; sistema cardiovascular; modulação autonômica.

• Keywords: vagus nerve stimulation; cardiovascular system; autonomic modulation.

• Abstract: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation technique that acts on the parasympathetic nervous system, modulating cardiac and inflammatory functions. Initially used in the treatment of epilepsy, it has been investigated as a therapeutic alternative in cardiovascular diseases due to its ability to reduce heart rate and improve autonomic control. This study aimed to gather and update the evidence on the cardiovascular effects of VNS in adults. It is a systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, including studies published between 2015 and 2025 in the PubMed and SciELO databases. Ten randomized clinical trials were included, involving 18 to 53 participants, mainly using transcutaneous auricular stimulation. The results showed reductions in heart rate, increases in heart rate variability, improvement in baroreflex sensitivity, and decreases in inflammatory markers, with no serious adverse events reported. It is concluded that VNS is a safe and promising intervention for autonomic and cardiovascular modulation, with therapeutic potential in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and autonomic dysfunctions.