Device may help control hard-to-treat high blood pressure.

Bloomberg News (3/25, Cortez) reported that Symplicity, "a Medtronic Inc. device used to control hard-to-treat high blood pressure by burning overactive nerves with a burst of radio-frequency energy, helped reduce the condition," according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting. The study included more than 150 individuals with drug- resistant hypertension. Researchers found that, "after six months, 71 percent improved." Twenty-four "patients who were followed for three years all recorded lower blood pressure after the procedure, which is approved for sales abroad."

        Dow Jones Newswire (3/25) reported, "In a separate trial, 106 patients were randomized to two groups: one group received renal denervation plus their previous treatment of drugs while the other--the control group--continued to take their regular drugs." Researchers reported that "the 47 patients receiving the therapy sustained a significant drop in blood pressure at a year compared to six months." The patients "receiving only their regular drugs didn't see a significant reduction in blood pressure at six months, at which point 35 patients who qualified for renal denervation received it," and then proceeded, six months later, to experience a similar reduction in blood pressure.