HonorHealth tests new algorithm for pacemakers

A programming algorithm is being tested by HonorHealth Research Institute for patients with new or recently installed pacemakers, designed so the device not only provides a steady heartbeat but also controls high blood pressure.

A recently opened clinical trial called BACKBEAT (BradycArdia paCemaKer for Blood prEssure treAtmenT) aims to use Medtronic’s Astra and Azure model pacemakers to not only treat slow heart rates but also delivers electrical pulses stimulating the heart in a way that reduces the patient’s blood pressure, a press release explained.

The clinical trial is for patients who require a pacemaker, but who no longer respond well to their current high blood pressure medication.

“It’s a huge, huge health problem,” Dr. Rahul Doshi, an electrophysiologist in the Research Institute’s Cardiovascular Research Division, stated in the release. “Many patients who require a pacemaker have uncontrolled high blood pressure”.

The electrical system of the heart works by coordinating the function of the upper chambers and the lower chambers in order to function as a pump delivering blood to the whole body, the release detailed.

By varying the timing of heartbeats for the upper and lower chambers, the new algorithm can lower blood pressure by several mechanisms and have a lasting benefit. Reducing high blood pressure lowers the risk of life-threatening strokes, heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases.

“This therapy works automatically without the patient or the doctor having to do anything. You just turn it on, and it works,” Dr. Doshi stated. “It’s very promising. It’s been demonstrated in all of our preliminary data that, not only does this work, but it also has a lasting benefit if you continue the therapy.”

Previous attempts to cultivate a non-drug method of controlling high blood pressure did not provide a lasting effect, according to Doshi.

For information about HonorHealth Research Institute cardiovascular clinical trials, contact heartclinicaltrials@honorhealth.com or 480-323-1046.