A novel implantable device appears to show early promise in the treatment of resistant hypertension. The “Coupler” device from privatelyheld ROX Medical is about the size of a paper clip and is delivered via a catheter to the upper thigh, where it creates a connection between the vein and the artery, which lowers blood pressure in the arteries by letting some of the blood drain off into the veins.
In a paper published in the Lancet, European investigators report the results of an open-label trial in in which 83 patients with persistent high blood pressure despite taking multiple antihypertensive drugs were randomized to implantation of the Coupler device or current treatment…
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Highly dubious. It reminds me of the ill-fated attempt to improve intelligence in children who were what was then called retarded by creating an AV fistula in the carotid/jugular system. Needless to say it didn’t work.