Applications

1358 – Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Not supported

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS® Therapy) Therapy is an adjunctive non-pharmacologic treatment for patients with drug-resistant partial or generalised epilepsy which can improve seizure control and quality-of-life for patients with epilepsy.

VNS® Therapy involves insertion of a small pulse generator (similar to a pacemaker) under the skin in the left chest wall and a lead attached to the left vagus nerve in the neck, to deliver precisely timed and measured electrical stimulation to the left vagus nerve. Using an external programming system (hand-held computer, software and wand), neurologists can adjust the timing and amount of stimulation the patient receives.

VNS® Therapy results in a decrease in both the rate and severity of seizures for patients where no other therapy is available.

Type: Therapeutic

Medical condition this application addresses

Epilepsy is a disorder characterised by unprovoked recurrent seizures, a neurological state in which a region (focus) of the brain or the entire brain develops abnormal, hypersynchronous neuronal discharges. Seizures are classified as either generalised (whole brain involved from onset) or partial (regional or focal seizure onset). For the majority of patients, seizures are adequately controlled with Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients do not respond to medical treatment and are termed “refractory” despite treatment with a combination of AEDs.

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: 
    • 16 to 17 April 2014
    • 14 to 15 August 2014
  • ESC meeting: 11 to 12 June 2015
  • MSAC meeting: 30 to 31 July 2015