Low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation attenuates cardiac remodelling in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? What is the effect of chronic intermittent low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cardiac inflammation, fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction? What is the main finding and its importance? In salt-sensitive rats fed with high salt diet, low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation significantly attenuated blood pressure elevation, ameliorated diastolic function, and attenuated left ventricular inflammation and fibrosis compared to the sham group. Further studies to examine the efficacy of this novel treatment in humans are warranted.

Abstract: Inflammation and fibrosis play a central role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).