Baroreflex activation for the treatment of hypertension: principles and practice.
This article reviews the history and current status of an innovative nonpharmacological approach for the treatment of resistant hypertension - chronic electrical activation of the afferent limb of the carotid baroreflex. Recent studies in both normotensive and hypertensive canine models have unambiguously demonstrated sustained and clinically relevant reductions in arterial pressure and sympathetic activity in the course of prolonged baroreflex activation. Clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this therapy in patients with resistant hypertension are now underway in both Europe and the USA.
Sica
Domenic A
DA
Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Division of Nephrology, Box 980160, MCV Station, Richmond, VA 23298-0160, USA. dsica@hsc.vcu.edu
Lohmeier
Thomas E
TE
D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004285:Dogs; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants