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MEDTRONIC DBS THERAPY FOR ESSENTIAL TREMOR

Alert Indications, Safety, and Warnings

DBS FOR ESSENTIAL TREMOR FACT SHEET

Learn more about treatment options, expected results,
and why DBS therapy is an important addition to the
treatment continuum for essential tremor.
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET

TREATING THE SYMPTOMS OF ESSENTIAL TREMOR

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been shown to reduce tremor in the upper extremity that is associated with essential tremor.1 If medications are not working adequately and the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability, DBS may be an option for essential tremor patients.2

BENEFITS OF MEDTRONIC DBS

  • Improves ability to do everyday activities, less tremor, and less disability1
  • Offers the first safe* access to MRI anywhere on the body for diagnosing health conditions in patients with deep brain stimulation
  • Allows therapy to be turned off or reversed, preserving options for future therapies and treatments

RISKS

Physicians should be aware that the risks associated with initial surgery may increase with clinical conditions3 such as:

  • Stroke or neurological disorders other than idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Renal or hepatic failure
  • Diabetes mellitus

To help ensure maximum benefits from the neurostimulation system, long-term, post-surgical management of patients is recommended.

Download our clinical summary to see the clinical data about essential tremor and DBS.

DOWNLOAD CLINICAL SUMMARY

IS YOUR ESSENTIAL TREMOR PATIENT A CANDIDATE FOR DBS THERAPY?

Deep brain stimulation should be considered when a patient with essential tremor has disabling symptoms and medications are ineffective or have intolerable side effects.2

PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL TREMOR MAY BE CANDIDATES FOR DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION IF4:

  • They have a disabling tremor of an upper extremity due to essential tremor or Parkinsonian tremor.
  • The tremor causes a significant functional disability.
  • The tremor is refractory to pharmacological therapies.
  • They are suitable candidates for stereotactic neurosurgery.
  • The tremor is of physiologic origin.

THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION THERAPY FOR ESSENTIAL TREMOR HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR:

  • Bilateral VIM stimulation
  • Patients with neurological disease origins other than essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease
  • Patients with a previous thalamotomy or surgical ablation procedure
  • Pregnancy or delivery
  • Patients under the age of 18 years
  • Patients over the age of 80 years

Medical education for dbs

Access the Medical Education Program for Health Care Professonals in the field of movement disorders and epilepsy.

Visit our Medical Education site
*

Medtronic DBS systems are MR Conditional which means they are safe for MRI scans only under certain conditions. If the conditions are not met, the MRI could cause tissue heating, especially at the implanted lead(s) in the brain, which may result in serious and permanent injury or death. Before having an MRI, always talk with the doctor who manages your DBS Therapy to determine your eligibility and discuss potential benefits and risks of MRI. For further information, please call Medtronic at +44 (0) 1923 205101.

1

Medtronic DBS Therapy for Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor Clinical Summary, 2015.

2

The brain and essential tremor. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/brain/essential-tremor-basics#2. Accessed: 07 January 2021

3

Fenoy AJ, Simpson RK. Risks of common complications in deep brain stimulation surgery: management and avoidance. J Neurosurg. 2014;120(1):132-139.

4

Hubble JP, Busenbark KL, Wilkinson S, Penn RD, Lyons K, Koller WC. Deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. Neurology. 1996;46(4):1150-1153.

Brief Statement:

See the device manual for detailed information regarding the instructions for use, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and potential adverse events. If using an MRI SureScan® device, see the MRI SureScan® technical manual before performing an MRI. For further information, contact your local Medtronic representative and/or consult the Medtronic website at medtronic.eu.