Semmelweis Egyetem Kardiologiai Kozpont Completes First Implant of the Barostim neo™ Device for Hypertension

BUDAPEST, Hungary, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely and Dr Péter Sótonyi at Semmelweis Egyetem Kardiológiai Központ completed their first patient implant of the Barostim neo device for hypertension. Semmelweis Egyetem Kardiológiai Központ is the first medical center in Hungary to perform this procedure. Barostim neo is a small, easy to implant device that is manufactured by CVRx®.

Barostim neo is designed to use the body's own natural blood flow regulation system to treat hypertension. The system works by electrically activating baroreceptors, the body's natural blood pressure sensors that regulate cardiovascular function. When the Barostim neo is activated, signals are sent through neural pathways to the brain, which responds by telling the arteries to relax, the heart to slow down and the kidneys to reduce fluid in the body, lowering excessive blood pressure and workload on the heart.

According to Prof. Dr. Bela Merkely, Director at Semmelweis Egyetem Kardiológiai Központ, "We are excited to be able to offer this therapy in Hungary. Barostim neo offers a new treatment option for many patients who have not been able to control their hypertension with the treatments previously available. Barostim Therapy™ will provide clinical benefits to our patients in a cost-effective manner.  Studies on the device have shown significant, sustained blood pressure reduction which can help reduce the health risks associated with hypertension, such as stroke and kidney failure, and help improve an individual's quality of life."

About Hypertension
Worldwide, hypertension is estimated to cause one in every eight deaths.^[1,2]  It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality. Twenty-five percent of people with hypertension cannot adequately control their hypertension with medications and lifestyle modifications.^[3] It is a disease that needs new treatment solutions.

About Barostim neo
Barostim neo is a second generation device that uses CVRx-patented technology that is designed to trigger the body's own natural blood flow regulation system to treat hypertension and heart failure. The system works by electrically activating the baroreceptors, the body's natural blood pressure sensors that regulate cardiovascular function. These baroreceptors are located on the carotid artery. When activated by Barostim neo, signals are sent through neural pathways to the brain, which responds by telling the:

• Arteries to relax, making it easier for blood to flow through the body and reducing cardiac exertion;
• Heart to slow down, allowing more time for the organ to fill with blood; and
• Kidneys to reduce fluid in the body, lowering both excessive blood pressure and workload on the heart.

This unique, patented technology has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce health risks associated with hypertension and heart failure, including heart and kidney disease, stroke and death. Other key potential benefits of Barostim neo include the following:

• Can be adjusted to meet each patient's individual therapy needs, making it the only personalized medical device therapy for the treatment of hypertension with a CE marking;
• Is a non-destructive reversible treatment; and
• Provides 100% compliance to treatment, by automatically and continuously activating the baroreflex.

About CVRx, Inc.
CVRx, Inc. is a privately-held company founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Minneapolis. The company has developed the second generation Barostim neo, an implantable system designed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. In Europe, Barostim neo received CE marking for the treatment of hypertension and is in clinical evaluation for the treatment of heart failure. In the United States Barostim neo is in clinical evaluation for the treatment of heart failure and hypertension. For more information, visit www.cvrx.com.

Editor's Note: Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers – the systolic pressure (top number) over the diastolic pressure (bottom number). The systolic pressure is the pressure of blood in the vessels when the heart contracts. Diastolic pressure is the pressure of the blood between heartbeats, when the heart is at rest and is refilling.

CVRx and Barostim neo and Barostim Therapy are trademarks of CVRx, Inc. registered in the United States Trademark Office.

© CVRx, Inc. 2013. All rights reserved.