Mary Washington Hospital Implants First Barostim Device for Heart Failure

Barostim is an FDA-approved neuromodulation therapy for patients whose heart failure symptoms persist despite medication. The system works by delivering electrical impulses to baroreceptors in the carotid artery wall to help regulate cardiovascular function. The device does not have any hardware placed inside the heart.

According to the hospital, the therapy is used in conjunction with standard medical therapy and has been shown to improve exercise capacity and quality of life. Mike Brown, director of structural heart and cardiac surgery, noted the adoption reflects the hospital's goal of making advanced cardiovascular treatments available to the local community.