Rheos: an implantable carotid sinus stimulation device for the nonpharmacologic treatment of resistant hypertension.

Hypertension is a highly prevalent disorder in the United States. Of particular concern is resistant hypertension, which by definition is hypertension that cannot be adequately treated by conventional 3-drug regimens. The Rheos Baroreflex Hypertension Therapy System is a new implantable device that can treat patients with hypertension resistant to multidrug therapy, by activating the carotid baroreflex through electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus wall. Recent studies in both normotensive and hypertensive canine models have demonstrated sustained and clinically relevant reductions in arterial pressure and sympathetic activity with prolonged baroreflex activation. Clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this therapy in patients with treatment resistant hypertension, are now ongoing in both Europe and the United States.