The global divide in renal denervation use
The inability of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial to prove the treatment’s efficacy has further divided use of renal denervation by geography. The technology remains unapproved for U.S. use, and will remain that way until another large, sham-controlled trial finishes and shows a clear benefit for BP reduction. In contrast, the procedure’s use in Europe seems on track to continue and grow further, although European thought leaders urge caution and further research to identify the best denervation techniques and optimal patients.
European leaders such as Dr. Mahfoud and Dr. Schmieder also see great promise in using renal denervation for other types of patients, such as those with heart failure or arrhythmias. Just one example of the wide-ranging effects examined for renal denervation was a report Dr. Mahfoud cited published earlier this year that focused on changes in left ventricular mass in 55 patients with resistant hypertension who underwent renal denervation. The results collected by Dr. Mahfoud and his associates showed that even when patients experienced little or no change in their systolic BP they often had substantial reductions in left ventricular mass (Eur. Heart J. 2014 March 6 [doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu093]).
"Reducing systolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg [in patients with severe, drug-resistant hypertension] would have a massive impact, so renal denervation remains an important tool for potentially benefiting patients with uncontrolled hypertension," Dr. Wijns, codirector of the Cardiovascular Center in Aalst, Belgium, said in an interview.
But the renal denervation tool that is increasingly seen as important by the cardiovascular disease leadership in Europe will remain beyond the reach of U.S. physicians for some time to come.
The SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial and the Global SYMPLICITY Registry were sponsored by Medtronic, which markets the Symplicity catheter. All of the sources for this article have received speaker fees, consulting fees, and/or research grants from Medtronic and numerous other medical device, drug, or biotechnology companies.
mzoler@frontinemedcom.com
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