Implantation of a Carotid Baroreceptor Stimulator in Patients with Pacemakers and Hypertension

• Published in: Pacing and clinical electrophysiology Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 354 - 356
• Main Authors: KARUNARATNE, HARISCHANDRA, MULUK, SATISH, PAPADEMETRIOU, VASILIOS, PARK, W. MICHAEL, SAMPLE, ROSS, IRWIN, ERIC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-03-2011; Wiley
• Subjects: Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; baroreceptors; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; blood pressure; Cardiology. Vascular system; Carotid Arteries - innervation; Carotid Arteries - physiopathology; Equipment Failure Analysis; Female; Humans; hypertension; Hypertension - diagnosis; Hypertension - physiopathology; Hypertension - prevention & control; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; pacemaker; Pacemaker, Artificial; Pressoreceptors - physiopathology; Prosthesis Design; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Treatment Outcome; Human; Hypertension; baroreceptors; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Artery; Instrumental stimulation; Pacemaker; Blood vessel; Carotid; Arterial pressure; Blood pressure; Circulatory system; Hemodynamics; Baroreceptor
• ISSN: 0147-8389; 1540-8159
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2010.02825.x

Background: The Rheos® System (CVRx, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is an implantable device used to lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension by stimulation of the carotid baroreceptors. It is unknown if interaction might exist between Rheos and conventional pacemakers.
Methods: Compatibility of the Rheos device was tested in four patients with preexisting pacemakers. Intra‐ and postoperative testing was completed with pacemaker and Rheos settings programmed to provoke interaction. Intracardiac electrograms were printed to determine interaction with the pacemaker.
Results: No interaction was observed at maximum atrial and ventricular sensitivity settings and maximum bilateral Rheos output settings.
Conclusion: Concomitant device therapy with Rheos device and pacemakers can be achieved without interaction. (PACE 2011; 34:354–356)