title: The pathophysiological basis of carotid baroreceptor stimulation for the treatment of resistant hypertension.
abstract: The prevalence of resistant hypertension and existing limitations in antihypertensive drug therapy renders the interventional management of hypertension an attractive alternative. Carotid baroreceptors have been traditionally thought to be implicated only in short-term blood pressure regulation; however recent evidence suggests that the baroreceptors might play an important role even in the long-term blood pressure regulation. Electrical baroreflex stimulation appears safe and effective and might represent a useful adjunct to medical therapy in patients with resistant hypertension. This review endeavors to summarize the complex pathophysiology of blood pressure regulation, to describe the baroreflex circuit, its anatomy and physiology, to present previous data refuting a role for the baroreceptors in the long-term control of blood pressure and recent animal and human data suggesting an effective role of carotid baroreceptor activation in long-lasting blood pressure reduction. In this paper we attempt to critically evaluate existing information in this area and provide the scientific basis for carotid baroreceptor stimulation in the management of resistant hypertension.
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lovic
authors.forename: Athanasios J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Manolis
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lovic
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stojanov
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lovic
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pittaras
authors.affiliation: Clinic for internal disease InterMedica, Hypertension Centre, Jovana Ristica str. 20-2; 18000 Nis, Mediana, Serbia. draganl1@sbb.rs.
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jakovljevic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*