BACKGROUND: The SPYRAL HTN-ON MED (Global Clinical Study of Renal Denervation With the Symplicity Spyral Multi-electrode Renal Denervation System in Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension in the Absence of Antihypertensive Medications)trial showed significant office and nighttime systolic blood pressure (BP) reductions in patients with hypertension following renal denervation (RDN) compared with sham-control patients, despite similar 24-hour BP reductions. We compared antihypertensive medication and BP changes among prespecified subpopulations. METHODS: The multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled, blinded SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial (n=337) evaluated BP changes after RDN compared with a sham procedure in patients with hypertension prescribed 1 to 3 antihypertensive drugs. Most patients (n=187; 54%) were enrolled outside the United States, while 156 (46%) US patients were enrolled, including 60 (18%) Black Americans. RESULTS: Changes in detected antihypertensive drugs were similar between RDN and sham group patients in the outside US cohort, while drug increases were significantly more common in the US sham group compared with the RDN group. Patients from outside the United States showed significant reductions in office and 24-hour mean systolic BP at 6 months compared with the sham group, whereas BP changes were similar between RDN and sham in the US cohort. Within the US patient cohort, Black Americans in the sham control group had significant increases in medication burden from baseline through 6 months ( P =0.003) but not in the RDN group ( P =0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Patients enrolled outside the United States had minimal antihypertensive medication changes between treatment groups and had significant office and 24-hour BP reductions compared with the sham group. Increased antihypertensive drug burden in the US sham cohort, especially among Black Americans, may have diluted the treatment effect in the combined trial population. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02439775.

Background: Arterial stiffening contributes to hemodynamic derangements in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We sought to investigate the impact of renal denervation on pulsatile left ventricular loading in patients with HFpEF and hypertensive patients without heart failure (control). Methods: Patients underwent renal denervation for treatment of hypertension and were followed up at 3 months at a single center. A validated computer model of the arterial tree, noninvasive aortic flow curves, left ventricular volumes, and E/e′ as inputs were used to determine key parameters of left ventricular vascular load. Results: In comparison to controls (n=30), patients with HFpEF (n=30) demonstrated lower total arterial compliance (mean difference, −0.41 [95% CI, −0.72 to −0.10] mL/mm Hg), higher impedance of the proximal aorta (Zc: 0.02; 0.01 to 0.04 mHg·s/mL), premature wave reflections (shorter backward wave transit time normalized to ejection time: −3.5; −6.5% to −0.5%), and higher wave reflection magnitude (reflection coefficient: 7.3; 2.8% to 11.9%). Overall, daytime systolic (−9.2; −12.2 to −6.2 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressures (−5.9; −7.6 to −4.1 mm Hg) as well as blood pressure variability (−2.0; −3.0 to −0.9 mm Hg) decreased after renal denervation. In patients with HFpEF, total arterial compliance (0.42; 0.17 to 0.67 mL/mm Hg) and backward transit time normalized to ejection time (1.7; 0.4% to 3.0%) increased; Zc (−0.01; −0.02 to −0.01 mm Hg·s/mL) and reflection coefficient (−2.6; −5.0% to −0.3%) decreased after renal denervation. This was accompanied by a symptomatic improvement in patients with HFpEF. Conclusion: HFpEF is characterized by heightened aortic stiffness and unfavorable pulsatile left ventricular load. These abnormalities are partly normalized after renal denervation.

Venous thromboembolism presenting as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE) remains to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite its significance and incidence, compared to many other cardiovascular conditions there are significant gaps in knowledge in many aspects of it, including its pathophysiology. A rare sequela of PE is chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This complication has a poor outcome and data is scarce in this field. Many therapeutic approaches are based solely on clinical expertise, which can be explained by the complex and not fully understood pathobiology of this disease. Over the years, many theories have been proposed regarding its genesis. Although generally acute PE is accepted as a trigger for CTEPH, this condition is multifactorial and cannot be explained by recurring PEs only. By reviewing the current evidence, we have demonstrated that thrombus non-resolution in CTEPH is due to multiple mechanisms and predisposing factors including: inflammation, small-vessel disease, impaired angiogenesis, platelet dysfunction, coagulopathies, malignancy, impaired fibrinolysis, genetics and many other components. Based on the current evidence, we aimed to explain the pathophysiology CTEPH, PE and the connection between these two important diseases. Furthermore, we highlight the negative hemodynamic effects of CTEPH and PE on the right ventricle and its role in further exacerbation of these patients.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition caused by the thrombo-embolic obstruction of pulmonary arteries, which often leads to haemodynamic instability, right ventricular failure, and potentially death. Patients with massive or high-risk PE are particularly vulnerable and may not respond to conventional treatments, necessitating the implementation of mechanical circulatory support. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of patients with high-risk PE and highlight the need for rapid and personalized treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Renal denervation has proven its efficacy to lower blood pressure in comparison to sham treatment in recent randomized clinical trials. Although there is a large body of evidence for the durability and safety of radiofrequency‐based renal denervation, there are a paucity of data for endovascular ultrasound–based renal denervation (uRDN). We aimed to assess the long‐term efficacy and safety of uRDN in a single‐center cohort of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 2 previous studies on uRDN were pooled. Ambulatory 24‐hour blood pressure measurements were taken before as well as 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment with uRDN. A total of 130 patients (mean age 63±9 years, 24% women) underwent uRDN. After 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, systolic mean 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure values were reduced by 10±12, 10±14, 8±15, and 10±15 mm Hg, respectively, when compared with baseline ( P <0.001). Corresponding diastolic values were reduced by 6±8, 6±8, 5±9, and 6±9 mm Hg, respectively ( P <0.001). Periprocedural adverse events occurred in 16 patients, and all recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: In this single‐center study, uRDN effectively lowered blood pressure up to 24 months after treatment.

Evidence from recent sham-controlled trials supports the use of endovascular renal denervation (RDN) to lower blood pressure in general as well as in treatment-resistant hypertension. According to recent studies, the effects of RDN are long lasting. Newer technologies using multipolar radiofrequency catheters and an additional ablation of the renal side branches as well as ultrasound with improved circumferential tissue penetration have made these advances possible. This has initiated a change of the perspective on RDN in clinical guidelines and has thereby set a cornerstone for a broader clinical application of RDN in the future.