Hypertension

High blood pressure increases a patient's risk of heart attack, stroke and other diseases. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure, and only about 1 in 4 of those individuals has their hypertension under control. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the epidemic of hypertension world-wide will exceed 1.56 billion people by 2025. Major efforts are underway to better control this primary risk factor through screenings, medication and invasive procedures such as renal denervation in severely uncontrolled patients.

The Medtronic Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system uses a catheter that curls in the renal artery to place radiofrequency electrodes against the vessel wall to ablate the nerves that control vasodilation, so the artery can be propped in the fully open position.

FDA panel votes not to endorse Medtronic renal denervation system

The vote was close, initially ending with a tie, but the panel ultimately decided there were too many questions related to the device's long-term benefits for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Recor Medical's Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System

FDA panel votes in favor of Recor Medical renal denervation system

A few members of the panel did question the device's efficacy and long-term durability. The FDA will now use these findings to make its final decision related to the system's approval. 

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Cardiologists applaud WHO’s endorsement of polypills for CVD prevention

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, one of the world’s most prominent cardiologists, said "it is now our responsibility to ensure these treatments are widely available and used by the medical community.”

The ReCor (left) and Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation systems.

FDA panel to review renal denervation system PMA submissions

The FDA Circulatory System Devices Panel is set to review the PMA submissions for the ReCor and Medtronic renal denervation systems to treat patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Large study finds high rates of nonadherence to statin recommendations; women especially averse

Many patients who would clearly benefit by lowered LDL cholesterol levels are choosing to forgo first-time recommendations for statin regimens, according to a population-level study. 

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology (ACC) president Hadley Wilson, MD, shares insights on how to create health equity through both ACC programs and hospital grassroots community outreach programs. He outlines four programs his heart hospital is piloting in its community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How cardiologists can address health disparities in their communities

Incoming 2023-2024 American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, shared insights on how to create health equity through grassroots community outreach programs.

AHA President Michelle Albert explains what can be done to boost healthcare equity and diversity in cardiology.

AHA President Michelle Albert on addressing health equity issues in cardiology

American Heart Association President Michelle Albert, MD, talked to us about about how to address health inequities in cardiology departments.

Ajay J. Kirtane, MD, director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories and professor of medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, explains the current trial data on catheter renal denervation to treat drug-resistant hypertension at AHA 2022.

Where renal denervation stands for the treatment of drug-resistant hypertension

Ajay Kirtane, MD, director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, explained the most recent clinical trial data on this topic. 

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

 

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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