VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center recently implanted in a patient the first medical device of its kind to treat resistant hypertension – making VCU the first medical center in the state to perform the surgical procedure, and only the second in the country.

The device was implanted by Marc Levy, M.D. chair of the Division of Vascular Surgery, who is part of a research team headed by Domenic Sica, M.D., VCU professor of internal medicine/nephrology. This study is part of a Phase II clinical research program being conducted at a limited number of medical centers in the United States.

Known as the CVRx® Rheos™ Baroreflex Hypertension Therapy™ System, the device is being implanted in patients with high blood pressure that is inadequately controlled with multiple medications.

“We have been waiting to try this treatment ever since medical and scientific data emerged to support taking advantage of the function of the body’s natural pressure sensors to reduce blood pressure,” said Sica.

CVRx Inc., based in Minneapolis, developed the device and technology to be studied. The device and effectiveness of the new treatment will be evaluated in the Rheos™ Trial, the first FDA-approved clinical trial of an implantable medical device to treat hypertension.

The Rheos system consists of a battery-powered implantable generator, which is inserted under the skin near the collarbone, and two carotid sinus leads, which run from the generator to the left and right carotid sinus in the neck.

The first device was implanted last month at University of Rochester, followed by the VCU Medical Center. According to CVRx officials, a nationwide trial will begin following the Phase II trial, if results continue to be encouraging.

For more information, visit http://www.cvrx.com/index.php.