Neuromodulation in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Low-level tragus stimulation will recruit the fibers from the inner part of the tragus of the external ear and sent afferent signals through the greater auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Ultimately the stimulation is transmitted to the dorsal vagal complex and the brainstem thereby modulating the neuronal activity in the vehicle output. Sham stimulation will be performed by clipping the electrode to the ear lobule which will not relay any afferent signals through the greater auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

In the sham stimulation the electrodes will be attached to the ear lobule which are devoid of any afferent nerves traveling to the greater auricular branch of the vagus nerve.