Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy
Advanced Treatment for Heart Failure Symptoms
Mary Washington Healthcare offers Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy, an FDA-approved implantable device for select patients with heart failure who continue to experience symptoms despite guideline-directed medical therapy. Barostim uses the body’s natural nervous system pathways to help improve heart failure symptoms, functional status, exercise capacity and quality of life.
This advanced treatment option is available at Mary Washington Hospital, helping patients throughout the Fredericksburg region access innovative heart failure care close to home.
What Is Barostim?
Barostim is an implantable neuromodulation device designed to treat symptoms of heart failure. Unlike some heart failure device therapies, Barostim does not place hardware inside the heart. Instead, the device is implanted under the skin near the collarbone and connected to the carotid artery, where natural pressure sensors called baroreceptors help regulate heart, kidney and blood vessel function.
Barostim delivers gentle electrical impulses to these baroreceptors, signaling the brain to help reduce the body’s stress response. This can help the heart work more efficiently and may improve symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and limited activity tolerance.
Who Is a Candidate for Barostim?
Barostim may be an option for patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and continue to have symptoms despite taking recommended heart failure medications and using appropriate device therapies.
Eligibility is determined through an individualized evaluation by a heart failure and cardiovascular care team. Your care team will review your medical history, current medications, symptoms, heart function, lab results and any existing cardiac devices to determine whether Barostim is appropriate for you.
Benefits of Barostim
For eligible patients, Barostim may offer:
- Improved heart failure symptoms
- Increased ability to walk and perform daily activities
- Improved quality of life
- A treatment approach that does not place hardware inside the heart
- An additional option for patients whose symptoms continue despite medication
Many patients experience meaningful improvement in daily function and activity tolerance when Barostim is used alongside their existing heart failure treatment plan.
What to Expect from Your Care
Patients receiving Barostim at Mary Washington Healthcare benefit from a coordinated care experience that includes:
- Comprehensive evaluation by cardiovascular specialists
- Care planning based on your symptoms, heart function and current therapies
- A minimally invasive implant procedure performed at Mary Washington Hospital
- Follow-up focused on device management, symptom improvement and long-term heart health
- Coordination with your referring cardiologist or heart failure provider
Your care team will work with you before, during and after the procedure to support your treatment goals and help you understand what to expect at each step.