Interim data from the REDUCE-HTN clinical programme, which was presented at EuroPCR (21–24 May, Paris, France) by Joachim Schofer (Hamburg University Cardiovascular Center, Hamburg, Germany), indicates that the Vessix renal denervation system (Boston Scientific) is associated with a significant and sustained reduction in blood pressure.
The aim of the REDUCE-HTN clinical programme is to evaluate the ability of the Vessix system to reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension (systolic 160 mmHg despite taking three or more antihypertensive medications). Investigators are comparing patients’ blood pressure levels at six months after receiving treatment with the renal denervation system with their pre-treatment baseline blood pressure levels.
According to a company press release, all patients underwent successful bilateral renal denervation treatment and there were no reports of device-related adverse events or procedural renal artery complications. It also noted that at six months, patients experienced a significant 27.6mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure (p<0.0001). Furthermore, long-term efficacy was demonstrated, with a sustained 28.4mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure in the subset of patients for whom 12-month data are available.
Horst Sievert, director of the CardioVascular Center Frankfurt, Sankt Katharinen Hospital, in Frankfurt, Germany, and principal investigator in the REDUCE-HTN clinical programme, said: “The interim data from REDUCE-HTN demonstrate that renal denervation with the Vessix System offers a significant and sustained blood pressure reduction in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The familiar over-the-wire balloon platform of the Vessix System, the short procedure time and precise bipolar approach offer a significant step forward in the treatment of this challenging condition.”
