title: Electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus for the treatment of resistant hypertension.
abstract: Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite a myriad of oral agents, many patients fail to reach their target blood pressure. Electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus, an old therapeutic concept, lowers blood pressure by initiating the baroreflex and reducing sympathetic tone. Recent evidence suggests that the baroreflex is more important in the setting of chronic hypertension than originally believed. The carotid stimulator may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with resistant hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Program in Heart Failure and Transplantation, Universityof Rochester, Cardiology Division, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 679T, Rochester, New York 14642-8679, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Filippone
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sloand
authors.forename: Karl A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Illig
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bisognano
mesh_terms: D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome