Pacemaker-Mediated Programmable Hypertension Control Therapy

Background-Many patients requiring a pacemaker have persistent hypertension with systolic blood pressures above recommended levels. We evaluated a pacemaker-based Programmable Hypertension Control (PHC) therapy that uses a sequence of variably timed shorter and longer atrioventricular intervals. Methods and Results-Patients indicated for dual-chamber pacing with office systolic blood pressure (oSBP) > 150 mm Hg despite stable medical therapy were implanted with a Moderato (TM) pulse generator that delivers PHC therapy. Patients were followed for 1 month (Run-In period) with conventional pacing; those with persistent oSBP > 140 mm Hg were included in the study and had PHC therapy activated. The co-primary efficacy end points were changes in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure and oSBP between baseline and 3 months. Safety was assessed by tracking adverse events. Thirty-five patients met the initial inclusion criteria and underwent Moderato implantation. At 1 month, oSBP was <140 mm Hg in 7 patients who were excluded. PHC was activated in the remaining 27 patients with baseline office blood pressure 166 +/- 11/80 +/- 10 mm Hg despite an average of 3.2 antihypertensive medications. During the Run-In period, oSBP and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure decreased by 8 +/- 13 and 5 +/- 12 mm Hg (P <0.002), respectively. Compared with pre-PHC activation measurements, oSBP decreased by another 16 +/- 15 mm Hg and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure decreased by an additional 10 +/- 13 mm Hg (both P <0.01) at 3 months. No device-related serious adverse effects were noted. Conclusions-In pacemaker patients with persistent hypertension despite medical therapy, oSBP and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure are decreased by PHC therapy. Initial indications are that this therapy is a safe and promising therapy for such patients