Barostim
This implanted device significantly improves symptoms in people with heart failure when cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) isn’t an option.
Pulse Generator Reduces Heart Failure Symptoms
Barostim — an implanted device in the chest — restores balance to the part of the body that naturally regulates the heartbeat. The purpose of Barostim is to improve the quality of life for people with heart failure by significantly decreasing their symptoms.
This treatment option is for people with heart failure who aren’t able to have cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) — the implantation of a pacemaker — or whose pacemaker is not adequately treating their symptoms.
Wellstar’s vascular surgeons implant Barostim, a device that resembles a pacemaker, in the carotid sinus located in the chest. No hardware is implanted in the heart or vascular system. This simple surgical procedure usually lasts less than an hour. Patients often go home the same day or the day after surgery.
But when someone has heart failure, the baroreflex no longer works well, leading to unregulated blood pressure and increased heart failure symptoms.
Barostim stimulates baroreceptors to tell the nervous system how to regulate the heart, kidney and vascular function. This helps the heart pump more efficiently, relieving symptoms of heart failure and allowing patients to experience a better quality of life.
Learn more about our heart failure program or find a cardiologist.
This treatment option is for people with heart failure who aren’t able to have cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) — the implantation of a pacemaker — or whose pacemaker is not adequately treating their symptoms.
Wellstar’s vascular surgeons implant Barostim, a device that resembles a pacemaker, in the carotid sinus located in the chest. No hardware is implanted in the heart or vascular system. This simple surgical procedure usually lasts less than an hour. Patients often go home the same day or the day after surgery.
How Barostim works
To understand how Barostim works, you need to know the baroreflex is the body’s natural way of maintaining blood pressure. The baroreflex is activated by baroreceptors that detect the blood pressure in the carotid artery of the neck. These baroreceptors communicate with the brain and trigger the nervous system to regulate the heart.
But when someone has heart failure, the baroreflex no longer works well, leading to unregulated blood pressure and increased heart failure symptoms.
Barostim stimulates baroreceptors to tell the nervous system how to regulate the heart, kidney and vascular function. This helps the heart pump more efficiently, relieving symptoms of heart failure and allowing patients to experience a better quality of life.
Is Barostim right for you?
Barostim is for people with heart failure who are not candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) — or for people with ineffective CRT. Consult your cardiologist to discuss whether Barostim could be right for you.Learn more about our heart failure program or find a cardiologist.