New Blood Pressure Device Being Tested In AmericaPOSTED: 3:41 pm EDT March 21,
2008 The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired March 21, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m. More than 65 million Americans have high blood pressure. About 25 percent can't control it with medications, but there's a new device being tested to help those people.Uncontrolled blood pressure can have deadly consequences, including stroke and heart failure. The new device works by using the body's own natural abilities, and will be tested at 24 medical centers nationwide, including Allegheny General Hospital.High blood pressure is called the silent killer, because it doesn't cause symptoms. One in three people have it but don't know it. One in four can't control it, even with medications."Eventually, you'll have a stroke, you'll have dementia, forgetfulness, memory issues, congestive heart failure, kidney problems and the list goes on and on," said the director of the Heart Cath Lab at Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Tony Farah.At AGH, doctors hope to help patients whose blood pressure won't respond to medication with a totally unique system called CVRX Rheos.The device looks like a pacemaker, only it's much smaller. It's already approved for use in Europe, and smaller studies show it works. It triggers the body to do what it can't do for itself, lower blood pressure.The pulse generator box is implanted under the collarbone. Two small wires from the implant are run up to the brain outside of the carotid arteries. They electrically trigger the body's blood pressure monitoring system called baroreceptors."Which then sends a signal to the brain telling it the blood pressure is high, you need to bring it down, and so it dilates the blood vessels, and it slows the heartbeat down a bit," said Farah.Rheos, slightly larger than a mini iPod, could soon help nearly 3 million Americans.For the one-year study, Rheos will be used in addition to existing therapies. It's the first time doctors will implant a medical device to stimulate the body's own natural system to lower blood pressure.To qualify for the trial, patients must have persistent high blood pressure that does not respond to aggressive treatment with medications. Related Links: More County NewsGet RSS | E-Mail Alerts Copyright 2008 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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