Treatment of Hypertension With an Implantable Electronic Device

Abstract

In some 90% to 95% of patients, the development of hypertension cannot be attributed to a definable cause.¹One theory of the etiology of at least some forms of "essential hypertension" which has received experimental support is that of altered systemic pressure regulation by the "resetting" of the baroreceptor mechanisms.^2-4 Kubicek et al²demonstrated experimentally the mechanism of resetting by showing a systemic blood-pressure rise within 20 hours of continuous electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves and observing that pulse rates were normal, indicating that baroreceptor mechanisms were no longer attempting to compensate. As stimulation was stopped, blood pressure fell and pulse rate increased, indicating that the baroreceptor mechanisms had been "reset" at higher levels and were acting to oppose pressure fall. McCubbin⁴showed that while the regulatory mechanism of the carotid sinus is active in both normotensive and hypertensive dogs, the baroreceptors of renal hypertensive