[Resistant hypertension and carotid baroreceptors stimulation]

Abstract

Resistant hypertension remains a frequent and difficult situation; its management has been recently clarified by guidelines from the French Society of Hypertension. Baroreceptor stimulation (BAROSTIM) is an emerging technique aimed at decreasing blood pressure in resistant hypertension. BAROSTIM interferes with baroreflex loop by stimulating baroreceptors and afferences of the baroreflex. There is only one randomized control trial with this technique which showed a modest but apparently durable blood pressure reduction. More evidences are required to refine the place of BAROSTIM, particularly with new devices. Together with renal denervation, BAROSTIM belongs to a new family of interventional techniques which should be considered as potential add-on therapies while optimal medical therapy remains the cornerstone of hypertension management.