Baroreflex activation therapy in hypertension.

The sympathetic nervous system is an effective homeostatic mechanism for modulating hemodynamics in times of stress and illness. Unfortunately, in some patients, this mechanism escapes physiologic control and through various mechanisms leads to resistant hypertension. Antihypertensive drug therapy is successful only to a point, leaving a significant percentage of patients nationwide with blood pressure measurements above guidelines despite being treated with at least three agents at maximally tolerated doses, consistent with a diagnosis of resistant hypertension. Novel methods of modifying the activity of the sympathetic nervous system have been studied in animals, and this review discusses the data in support of one of the techniques at the forefront of non-pharmacologic blood pressure therapy.