- April Starinsky
Transforming lives of stroke survivors: AdventHealth, Orlando Neurosurgery first in nation to perform 50 Vivistim implant cases
More patients have been helped by an innovative device for stroke survivors at AdventHealth than any other health system in the country. AdventHealth Orlando is the first hospital to use the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System to help 50 patients. This transformative device, designed to aid stroke survivors in their rehabilitation journey, has shown remarkable success in improving hand and arm function.
Jessica Pflanz was celebrating her 30th birthday when she had a stroke. She’s the 25th patient to receive the Vivistim implant at AdventHealth Orlando and said it is helping her grow more confident and has even allowed her to return to kayaking and paddleboarding.
“I was always very athletic,” Pflanz said. “Thanks to this treatment, I’ve gotten a lot of my movement back. I celebrated the wins and every time I was able to do something I couldn’t do before (using Vivistim).”
The Vivistim System uses vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with high repetition and intense occupational therapy provided at AdventHealth Sports Medicine and Rehab to enhance the treatment’s effectiveness.
The device is implanted under the skin in the upper left chest area and connects to the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in controlling involuntary body functions. During rehabilitation therapy, a wireless transmitter signals the Vivistim device to deliver gentle pulses while the patient performs specific tasks, helping to create or strengthen neural connections.
“It gives someone who’s had a stroke a second chance at a good quality of life – something that’s very important in medicine,” said Dr. Ravi H. Gandhi, medical director of the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute and partner at Orlando Neurosurgery, who led the team in being the first to bring this breakthrough device to stroke survivors in the Southeast. “Vivistim focuses on allowing patients to regain their functional independence.”
Once patients have graduated from the intensive program with the occupational therapists at AdventHealth, they are then able to continue their progress through a self-directed, home-based therapy program using a magnet to activate the Vivistim system daily. This leading-edge medical technology can offer patients the chance to improve their recovery even after significant time has passed.
Recent News
AdventHealth physicians and care teams will again provide free pre-participation sports physicals and ECG screenings for Volusia County students on April 2-5 at the Daytona International Speedway...
When Linda Vick scheduled an appointment for a hand tremor that she had lived with for over 50 years, she never imagined that the routine visit would turn into a life-saving moment.
AdventHealth is investing $350,000 in The Able Trust youth programs focused on providing students with disabilities with education and career discovery opportunities.
For Kay Barnett, leadership goes beyond a job title. It’s about presence, perseverance and empowering others along the way.
For Kay Barnett, leadership goes beyond a job title. It’s about presence, perseverance and empowering others along the way.
Dr. Sinclair has over 25 years of clinical experience as a practicing physician, including 20 years in progressive leadership roles.
Golf PFX consists of a physical and movement screening along with a swing analysis, to help golfers learn how to move their bodies better for their swings.
Discover what’s being accomplished in Central Florida to bridge the health gap with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and AdventHealth’s Dr. Alric Simmonds.
Innovative ways AdventHealth physicians are saving lives and transforming the future of heart health as we celebrate American Heart Month.
In the 1950s, Black patients in Orlando were barred from local hospitals. To address this, Florida Sanitarium (now AdventHealth) and the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation built a hospital near Camping World...
In 1950s Orlando, Black patients were barred from receiving care in local hospitals alongside white patients. To address this inequity, Florida Sanitarium (now AdventHealth) and the Dr. Phillips...
In a groundbreaking initiative to enhance public safety, 15 LYNX LYMMO buses across downtown Orlando are now equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs).