Antihypertensive Bridge Therapy by Continuous Drug Infusion with an Elastomeric Pump in Device-Resistant Hypertension

Over recent years, invasive hypertension treatments have led to a new clinical condition, called device-resistant hypertension (DRH).1 DRH is defined as blood pressure (BP) >140/90 mm Hg, with at least 3 antihypertensives at maximal doses, including a diuretic,2 without BP decrease after the invasive treatments. These patients are not infrequent and are obliged to visit several hypertension units for managing their BP. We have observed a significant BP decrease only by using intravenous drugs recommended for emergencies.2,3 Thus, we refined a protocol to perform a chronic intravenous antihypertensive infusion in patients with DRH via an elastomeric pump and a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).