Impact of Pacing Site and AV Delay on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Impact of Pacing Site and AV Delay on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients: An Acute Study in Patients Undergoing an Electrophysiology Study or Pacemaker Implant

The purpose of this study is to test whether the A-V sequential pacing strategy shown to effectively reduce blood pressure in a dog model of hypertension also reduces blood pressure acutely in patients with hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg) despite medical treatments.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient has hypertension with systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg despite at least one antihypertensive medication.
2. Patient has a clinical indication for a pacemaker or an electrophysiology study involving introduction of transvenous electrophysiology catheters to the right atrium and/or right ventricle.
3. Patient is willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient is in atrial fibrillation at the time of the study
2. Patient has an ejection fraction less than 45%
3. Patient has a history of symptomatic heart failure, regardless of EF
4. Patient is undergoing an ablation procedure for a bypass track (WPW)
5. Patient has a history of resuscitation from ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia