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.

Early pregnancy blood pressure patterns tied to hypertension risk years later
Researchers show certain blood pressure patterns during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy were more likely to develop into hypertension later in life.
ASE updates recommendations for assessing right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension
The new guidelines were designed to ensure sonographers and other members of the heart team have the information they need to screen patients when appropriate and identify early warnings signs of PH.
Boston Scientific enters renal denervation market with acquisition worth up to $540M
Boston Scientific has announced another significant M&A deal, scooping up an Israeli medtech company focused on RDN technology.
Cardiovascular societies support Medicare coverage for renal denervation
CMS is expected to release a proposed national coverage determination decision memo by July.
Momentum continues for renal denervation as CMS considers national Medicare coverage
CMS is accepting public comments on the topic for a period of 30 days. Recor Medical and Medtronic have both shared statements in support of the potential policy shift.

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.

First US patient treated with Medtronic’s FDA-approved renal denervation system

Interventional cardiologist David Kandzari, MD, performed the procedure just days after the device received full FDA approval.

ADHD medications associated with heightened CVD risk

"Although the effectiveness of ADHD medications has been demonstrated ... concerns remain regarding their potential cardiovascular safety," one research explained.

Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation

FDA approves another renal denervation system for hypertension

This is the second time in a matter of weeks the FDA has approved an RDN system for uncontrolled hypertension. The SCAI issued a statement about this trend, calling it a “game-changer for both interventional cardiology and the treatment of hypertension."

Recor Medical's Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System

FDA approves first renal denervation system for uncontrolled hypertension

The system, designed for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are unresponsive to medication, uses ultrasound ablation to target nerves in the renal arteries, increasing blood flow. This approval comes just months after an FDA advisory panel voted in favor of the system.

ChatGPT tackles hypertension: Popular AI model a helpful resource for patients with high blood pressure

The study's authors communicated with ChatGPT-4 in both English and Japanese, noting that it appeared to struggle more with the complexities of the Japanese language.

Heart-healthy diets may help women limit signs of cognitive decline later in life

More than 5,000 women were interviewed about their eating habits from 1985 to 1991, and then researchers followed up with them 30 years later. The full study was published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Dihydropyridines such as amlodipine have been the topic of some debate in recent months due to fears they lead to significant side effects.

Merck is seeking FDA approval for sotatercept to be used as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension

FDA grants speedy review to Merck's new drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension

The FDA is expected to base its decision in part on the STELLAR clinical trial, which included 163 adult patients treated with subcutaneous sotatercept and 160 patients treated with a placebo.

Hypertension

Early pregnancy blood pressure patterns tied to hypertension risk years later

ASE updates recommendations for assessing right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Boston Scientific enters renal denervation market with acquisition worth up to $540M

Cardiovascular societies support Medicare coverage for renal denervation

Momentum continues for renal denervation as CMS considers national Medicare coverage