Medtronic and Boston Scientific have announced plans to start phase II clinical trials this year for their updated renal denervation catheters. The once promising new technology is intended to treat hypertension unresponsive to drug therapy. The failure last year of Medtronic’s SYMPLICITY HTN-3, the first large pivotal trial to rigorously test renal denervation, sent manufacturers back to their drawing boards to redesign the devices. In its quarterly report, Boston Scientific said it plans to begin enrolling patients in the first half of this year in a phase II trial, REDUCE-HTN REINFORCE, testing its Vessix platform.

Background: NEJM Journal Watch General Medicine summary on SYMPLICITY HTN-3