Fluid structure interaction (FSI) methodology for evaluation of a passive endovascular carotid implant for hypertension treatment

Drug-resistant hypertensive patients may be treated by stimulating baroreceptors located in the arterial walls of the internal carotid artery, specifically in the sinus region of the carotid artery bifurcation. To assess the ability of a custom implant design to stimulate baroreceptors by triggering them to fire and thereby reduce hypertension, the design was deployed within a patient based carotid bifurcation and FSI simulations were conducted. Results demonstrate the effect of such an implant on the arterial wall region where the baroreceptors are located. Localized wall contact and pulsatile stretch due to the implant are depicted by elevated wall stresses in the corresponding regions. These FSI simulations indicate that such a device would trigger baroreceptor firing and thus may effectively reduce hypertension in patients who do not respond to medication.