Methods and Apparatus for Regulating Blood Pressure

A blood pressure control apparatus, system, and methods of modifying intravascular blood flow of a patient is disclosed. In one aspect, the blood pressure control apparatus comprises an intravascular flow-modifying device including an expandable, hollow, stent-like support member configured for implantation within the vasculature, which includes an upstream sensor, a downstream sensor, and a flow restrictor. The flow restrictor is configured to partially occlude a vessel lumen and thereby artificially create back pressure upstream of the device, which causes dilation of the vessel wall and activation of the baroreceptors upstream of the device. Activation of the baroreceptors may depress the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, thereby contributing to a decrease in systemic blood pressure. The flow restrictor is also configured to partially occlude the renal vein lumen, thereby artificially increasing renal perfusion and depressing the baroreceptor-mediated sympathetic and neurohormonal efforts to raise blood pressure.