(November 21, 2007)—Scott & White Hospital in Temple implanted an experimental device Tuesday that’s designed to treat uncontrolled high blood pressure.
The hospital was the first in Texas to implant the device, Scott & White said.
Vascular surgeons Dr. Robert Feldtman and Dr. Todd Bohannon implanted the CVRx Rheos Baroflex Hypertension Therapty system in two patients whose blood pressure was not responding to medication, the hospital said, as part of a clinical trial approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“This is very exciting technology,” Feldtman said.
“This is equal to the breakthrough in the 1950s when the first heart pacemakers were implanted in heart patients.”
The device consists of a battery-operated generator that’s implanted under the skin near the collarbone and two electric leads, which are inserted on either side of the neck to transmit information to the brain.
It activates the body’s own blood pressure regulators to lower blood pressure, Scott & White said.
“Our hope is that the device will decrease medication requirements, since many of the blood pressure medications can carry significant side effects,” Bohannon said.
“The purpose of this investigational trial is to see how much the medications can be reduced.”
Scott & White is screening subjects for participation in the trial study.
Residents who are interested may call 1-866-685-2628, or go online to www.rheosstudy.com.
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