Unilateral Carotid Body Resection in Resistant Hypertension: A Safety and Feasibility Trial.

ABSTRACT: Animal and human data indicate pathological afferent signaling emanating from the carotid body that drives sympathetically mediated elevations in blood pressure in conditions of hypertension. This first-in-man, proof-of-principle study tested the safety and feasibility of unilateral carotid body resection in 15 patients with drug-resistant hypertension. The procedure proved to be safe and feasible. Overall, no change in blood pressure was found. However, 8 patients showed significant reductions in ambulatory blood pressure coinciding with decreases in sympathetic activity. The carotid body may be a novel target for treating an identifiable subpopulation of humans with hypertension.

SUBMITTER: Narkiewicz K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5063532 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature