The Baroloop Study

This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypertension Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18 years or older and less than 80 years of age.
2. Persistent office systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mm Hg on antihypertensive medicines on two visits separated by a minimum of four weeks.
3. Mean 24-hour systolic ABPM ≥ 130 mm Hg and mean 24 hour diastolic ABPM ≥ 80 mm Hg conducted after direct observed therapy to confirm that antihypertensive medicines were taken as prescribed during the ABPM measurement.
4. Stable drug regimen of 4 antihypertensive medicines consisting of a renin-angiotensin blocker(ACE) or Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARBs), a calcium channel blocker (CCB), a diuretic and spironolactone for 4 weeks at treatment. If spironolactone is not tolerated, the regimen must include instead the addition of further diuretic therapy with either eplerenone, amiloride, higher-dose thiazide/thiazide-like diuretic or a loop diuretic, or the addition of bisoprolol or doxazosin. If none of these medicines are tolerated, then patients on a 3-drug regimen may be included.
5. The Investigator has confirmed that the patient has already tried and/or is not suitable for treatment with currently CE-marked device-based therapies for resistant hypertension as an alternative to baroloop therapy.
6. Willingness and ability to comply with follow-up requirements.
7. Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any patient in whom access to the vagal nerve is limited by the size of the vagus (a size not compatible with the baroloop cuff).
2. Any patient with a history of injury to the vagus nerve or its branches (e.g., the recurrent laryngeal nerve).
3. Secondary causes of hypertension.
4. Calculated eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2.
5. Type 1 diabetes mellitus or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c > 10%).
6. One or more episodes of orthostatic hypotension in the past year
7. Requirement for chronic oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
8. Untreated (no CPAP therapy) sleep apnea (AHI > 15)
9. Morbid obesity, defined as Body Mass Index >40 kg/m2 or arm circumference 46 cm.
10. Pacemaker and/or implantable defibrillators.
11. History of transient ischemic accident or cerebrovascular accident during six (6) months prior to screening.
12. Symptomatic carotid artery disease or > 70% occlusion of either carotid artery; any carotid malformation or lesion, a carotid bruit or other abnormal carotid sound.
13. Prior surgery, radiation therapy or scarring in the neck in the region of the carotid artery (e.g., patients with a tracheostomy, extensive thymectomy or thyroid surgery).
14. Limited mobility of the neck secondary to vertebral disease or prior vertebral surgery, including patients who wear a cervical support.
15. History of heart failure (NYHA class III-IV or ejection fraction < 30%), myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary bypass or coronary angioplasty during six (6) months prior to screening.
16. Cardiac arrythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, etc.) that require anticoagulation or interfere with a consistent measurement of blood pressure.
17. Syncope in the last 6 months.
18. History of bleeding disorders, thrombocytopenia, hemophilia or significant anemia (hemoglobin (Hgb) < 10 gm/dl).
19. Current anticoagulation therapy (excluding antiplatelet therapy with aspirin as a sole therapy).
20. Works night shifts.
21. History of unresolved drug or alcohol use.
22. Active treatment of a psychiatric ailment.
23. Life expectancy of less than 12 months due to other disease.
24. Subject has a condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, precludes participation, including willingness to comply, with all follow-up procedures.
25. Participation in another clinical study for which follow-up is currently on-going.
26. Women who are of child-bearing age or who have the potential to become pregnant
27. Resting heart rate of <40 beats/min for patients on beta blockers or <60 beats/min for all other patients, confirmed at both baseline visits.
28. Baroreflex failure or autonomic neuropathy
29. Symptomatic, uncontrolled bradyarrhythmias
30. Atrioventricular block of any grade
31. Patients who are treated with Pacemaker and/or implantable defibrillators
32. Presence of a vagus stimulator
33. Patients who expect to require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical area
34. Occupational exposure to high levels of non-ionizing radiation that may interfere with therapy
35. Patients with a limited ability to read, understand and execute adjustment procedures (for example, persons suffering from dementia).
36. Likely exposure to diathermy.