Long-term chronic baroreflex activation: persistent efficacy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) has recently been shown to reduce muscle sympathetic nerve activity and hospitalization rate while improving clinical variables through 6 months of therapy in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The objective of the present study is to extend the information on this patient cohort over a long-term follow-up.

Methods And Results: Eleven patients were enrolled in the study and presented with optimized, stable medical therapy, New York Heart Association Class III HFrEF with left ventricular ejection fraction 40% or less, impaired functional capacity and no active cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Chronic baroreflex activation effects on sympathetic nerve traffic, baroreflex function, and cardiac haemodynamics in heart failure: a proof-of-concept study.

Aims: Heart failure (HF) pathophysiology is believed to be mediated by autonomic dysfunction, including chronic sympathoexcitation and diminished baroreflex sensitivity, which correlate with mortality risk. Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) is a device-based treatment providing chronic baroreflex activation through electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus. BAT chronically reduces sympathetic activity in resistant hypertension.