Baroreceptor stimulation for resistant hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) is a worldwide epidemic. When untreated, HTN places patients at an elevated risk for several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and end-organ damage. This effect is particularly pronounced in a subset of patients who experience treatment-resistant HTN despite the utilization of conventional medication and lifestyle interventions. For these challenging patients, ongoing research efforts continue to explore and develop novel nonpharmacologic therapies for resistant HTN. One such avenue is the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system, a large component of circulatory physiology. Innovative therapies have evolved to harness the ability to deliver electrical stimulation to baroreceptors in an effort to modulate the sympathetic system involvement in HTN. This review discusses baroreflex activation therapy and its role in the management of resistant HTN.