Baroreflex stimulation in the treatment of hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
It is not uncommon for hypertension to be resistant to the effects of medical therapy, and this poses a significant risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus is a novel treatment for hypertension, and has been shown to reduce blood pressure by activating the baroreflex and reducing sympathetic tone.


RESULTS
Evidence suggests that the baroreceptors play a more important role in long-term blood pressure regulation than was once believed. It appears that the baroreflex attenuates chronic hypertension in large part by inhibiting renal sympathetic tone. Animal and human studies have demonstrated a safe and effective lowering of blood pressure with chronic electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus, and have generated enthusiasm for implantable carotid sinus stimulators in the treatment of hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrical baroreflex stimulation appears safe and effective, and may represent a useful adjunct to medical therapy in patients with resistant hypertension.
Filippone
John D
JD
Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642-8679, USA.
Bisognano
John D
JD
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017704:Baroreflex; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents