The Rheos implantable device sustainably reduced mean blood pressure by 21/12 mm Hg at 3 months and 33/22 mm Hg at 2 years in patients with resistant hypertension.
Does an implantable carotid baroreflex activation device safely lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension?
Baroreflex activation therapy using an implantable device safely and sustainably reduces blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension.
Objectives This study assessed the safety and efficacy of a novel implantable device therapy in resistant hypertension patients. Background Despite the availability of potent antihypertensive drugs, a substantial proportion of patients remain hypertensive. A new implantable device (Rheos system, CVRx, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) that activates the carotid baroreflex may help these patients. Methods Forty-five subjects with systolic blood pressure >= 160 mm Hg or diastolic >= 90 mm Hg despite at least 3 antihypertensive drugs were enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomized feasibility study to assess whether Rheos therapy could safely lower blood pressure. Subjects were followed up for as long as 2 years. An external programmer was used to optimize and individualize efficacy. Results Baseline mean blood pressure was 179/105 mm Hg and heart rate was 80 beats/min, with a median of 5 antihypertensive drugs. After 3 months of device therapy, mean blood pressure was reduced by 21/12 mm Hg. This result was sustained in 17 subjects who completed 2 years of follow-up, with a mean reduction of 33/22 mm Hg. The device exhibited a favorable safety profile. Conclusions The Rheos device sustainably reduces blood pressure in resistant hypertensive subjects with multiple comorbidities receiving numerous medications. This unique therapy offers a safe individualized treatment option for these high-risk subjects. This novel approach holds promise for patients with resistant hypertension and is currently under evaluation in a prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2010;56:1254-8) Original language English Pages (from-to) 1254-1258 Number of pages 5 Journal Journal of the American College of Cardiology Volume 56 Issue number 15 DOIs https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.089 Publication status Published - 5 Oct 2010 Keywords baroreflex device feasibility hypertension treatment
Scheffers et al. (Wed,) conducted a other in resistant hypertension (n=45). Rheos system (carotid baroreflex activation therapy) was evaluated on blood pressure reduction. The Rheos implantable device sustainably reduced mean blood pressure by 21/12 mm Hg at 3 months and 33/22 mm Hg at 2 years in patients with resistant hypertension.