Eligibility for Baroreflex Activation Therapy and medication adherence in patients with apparently resistant hypertension

Abstract

Uncontrolled hypertension is a main risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) is an effective therapy option addressing true resistant hypertension. We evaluated patients’ eligibility for BAT in a staged assessment as well as adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy. Therefore, we analyzed files of 345 patients, attending the hypertension clinic at University Medicine Göttingen. Additionally, gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric urine analyses of selected individuals were performed evaluating their adherence. Most common cause for a revoked BAT recommendation was blood pressure (BP) control by drug adjustment (54.2%). Second leading cause was presence of secondary hypertension (31.6%). Patients to whom BAT was recommended (59 (17.1%)) were significantly more often male (67.8% vs. 43.3%, P =.0063), had a higher body mass index (31.8 ± 5.8 vs. 30.0 ± 5.7 kg/m², P =.0436), a higher systolic office (168.7 ± 24.7 vs. 147.7 ± 24.1 mmHg, P