The broad research goal of this study is to examine the extent to which arterial blood pressure (BP) and blood markers related to hypertension and kidney function are reduced in a prospective cohort of patients undergoing implantation of an epidural spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for the purpose of managing chronic pain in the lower back and/or limbs.
Specific aims:
1. Examine the extent to which BP (primary variable), norepinephrine (marker of sympathetic nerve activity in the blood), and a vascular ultrasound scan are improved following the implant of a SCS device among patients with chronic pain and hypertension.
2. Examine the extent to which markers of kidney function in the blood \[serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)\] are reduced following the implant of a SCS device among patients with chronic pain and hypertension.
3. Determine the extent to which BP predicts reductions in pain following the implant of a SCS device.
