A device the size of a paper clip allows lower blood pressure

The successful clinical testing of a new portable device is performed In Britain. The device is implanted on human body and significantly reduces blood pressure.

The study published in The Lancet, describes the results of testing. The device has a size of a paper clip and is implanted in the organism through the groin. All patients observed an immediate decrease in blood pressure. However, one-third also developed swelling in their leg.

Experts say the device could be a new way of controlling blood pressure, particularly in hard-to-treat cases, BBC reports.

The device, called a coupler, made by ROX Medical in California. It creates a chamber between the artery and vein in the upper thigh which appears to help lower resistance and bring blood pressure down.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London, tested the device on 42 patients with high blood pressure which had not responded to at least three types of drug treatment.

They compared the effects with 35 patients who were given the standard medical treatment for uncontrolled high blood pressure. After six months from the beginning of research patients observed an immediate decrease in blood pressure.

However, the device did have side-effects. In around 29% of patients, swelling developed in the leg in which the coupler was inserted.

This required another short procedure to insert a stent in the vein.

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