Abbott initiates Hercules trial

Abbot Laboratories has initiated its clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of RX Herculink Elite, a renal stent system for the treatment of renal artery stenosis (RAS).

The first patients have been enrolled in the trial with all patients having at least 60 per cent stenosis or blockage in a renal artery shown by a visual X-ray angiography.

Dr Martinez de Arraras, president of the Amarillo Heart Clinical Research Institute in Texas, highlighted how many patients with high RAS will repond better to medication combined with stenting rather than only taking medication.

“The goal of the Hercules trial is to evaluate whether renal artery tenting may reduce vessel renarrowing, thereby potentially reducing other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure.”

The vice president of Abbot Vascular Chuck Foltz welcomed the beginning of patient enrolment for the trial, stressing that Hercules trial would help to “expand our understanding” of vascular disease.