Vagus nerve modulation of inflammation: Cardiovascular implications

The vagus nerve modulates inflammatory responses in various organ systems. Emerging evidence indicates that the vagus can have profound and complex effects on cardiovascular function, remodeling, arrhythmias, and mortality by several mechanisms. In heart failure and during ischemia, an adverse inflammatory response can occur. The vagus nerve may modulate cardiovascular disease and outcomes by affecting inflammatory responses. Here, evidence for and components of the vagus inflammatory reflex are reviewed and evidence for and implications of effects of vagus activation on inflammation in the cardiovascular system are considered.