Unilateral baroreceptor activation therapy: the beauty of asymmetry

With respect to paired internal organs, we commonly think that these are symmetrical and have identical physiological functions. This, however, appears not to be the case. A particular organ where asymmetry comes to expression is the baroreceptor system. Clinical data in patients with resistant hypertension who are treated with device-based baroreceptor activation clearly show that there are functional differences between the left and the right baroreceptor systems. This has implications for our understanding of certain diseases.