Mary Washington Hospital performs first Barostim implant to treat heart failure

Fredericksburg, Va. (August 24, 2026) – Mary Washington Hospital has successfully performed its first implant of Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy, expanding heart failure treatment options for patients in the Fredericksburg region.

Barostim is the world's first FDA-approved neuromodulation device designed to improve symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure who may not be receiving adequate symptom relief from medications alone. The therapy uses the body's nervous system to help restore balance and improve cardiovascular function.

The procedure was performed at Mary Washington Hospital by Victor D'Addio, MD, Vascular Surgeon, Mary Washington General Surgery.

Unlike other heart failure device therapies, Barostim contains no hardware in the heart. Instead, it delivers electrical impulses to baroreceptors, natural sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery that help regulate heart, kidney and vascular function through the autonomic nervous system. By activating these receptors, the therapy can reduce the heart's workload and help it pump more efficiently.

Barostim, when used in conjunction with guideline-directed medical therapy, has been shown to improve exercise capacity, quality of life and help patients return to normal daily activities.

“Heart failure can significantly limit a person’s ability to enjoy everyday life,” said Dr. D’Addio. “By offering Barostim therapy, we are expanding treatment options for patients whose symptoms continue despite medication. This innovative technology allows us to treat heart failure in a new way by leveraging the body’s own nervous system to help improve symptoms, increase activity levels and enhance quality of life.”

Mary Washington Healthcare offers comprehensive cardiovascular services through a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease. The program provides advanced medical, surgical and minimally invasive treatment options, allowing patients throughout the region to access leading-edge cardiovascular care close to home.

“Our goal is to ensure patients throughout the Fredericksburg region have access to the most advanced cardiovascular treatments without having to leave their community,” said Mike Brown, Director of Structural Heart and Cardiac Surgery at Mary Washington Hospital. “Adding Barostim therapy expands the options available to patients with heart failure and reflects our commitment to bringing innovative, evidence-based technologies to the region.”

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. People with heart failure often experience shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the lower extremities, weakness and a reduced ability to perform physical activity.

According to national estimates, heart failure affects millions of Americans and remains a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. Patients with heart failure face a significantly increased risk of serious complications, including sudden cardiac death.

To learn more about the Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy at Mary Washington Healthcare, click here.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 397-bed tertiary teaching hospital; Stafford Hospital, a 174-bed community teaching hospital; four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.