Medtronic’s Symplicity system shows benefits in new trial

Medtronic has reported positive data from a new clinical trial of its Symplicity renal denervation system, conducted among patients with treatment-resistant hypertension.

Six-month pooled outcomes from randomised and crossover patients in the Symplicity HTN-2 study showed that the device is able to provide significant and sustained blood pressure reduction, with no evidence of renal impairment.

This adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of renal denervation therapy, a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure that modulates the output of nerves in renal artery walls leading into and out of the kidneys.

More than 4,000 patients have been successfully treated using the Symplicity system worldwide over the last five years.

Sean Salmon, senior vice-president and president for the coronary and renal denervation division of Medtronic, said: "New treatment guidance issued by the European Society of Hypertension on the use of renal denervation to treat resistant hypertension supports the use of technology that has demonstrated enduring safety and effectiveness."

Earlier this month, the company announced the launch of Powerease, its new system of electronic instrumentation for instrumented and reconstructive spine surgery procedures.