Details of a new clinical trial, which aims to evaluate an innovative treatment for patients with high blood pressure, have been announced.

The treatment is aimed at adults who have high blood pressure, but have been unsuccessful in managing the condition with drug therapies and lifestyle changes.

The TARGET BP 1 clinical trial is being run by the Cardiovascular Research Institute Dublin at the Mater Private Network. It intends to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Peregrine System Kit Procedure – a catheter-based trial procedure which has been designed to calm the nerves surrounding the kidney. These can contribute to raising blood pressure.

The procedure is performed through a single, small incision in the groin. A thin, flexible catheter is then guided to the artery supplying the kidney. Once positioned, the Peregrine System catheter delivers a small amount of dehydrated alcohol to the region just outside the artery, with the aim of deactivating a network of nerves that drive high blood pressure in certain patients.

After the arteries to both kidneys are treated, the Peregrine catheter is removed and the incision is closed.

“Hypertension, if untreated, can lead to stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease, among many other complications. While standard treatments can be very effective, this trial could have long-term benefits for a number of patients across Ireland who remain unable to adequately control their condition with standard therapies,” explained the director of cardiology at the Mater Private Network and TARGET BP 1 principal investigator, Prof Robert Byrne.

He noted that in spite of best efforts, a proportion of patients remain unable to adequately manage their condition. However, there is renewed hope that these patients can be successfully treated with renal ablation, based on a series of recent positive studies, which have led experts in Europe to recommend this treatment in a position paper published in the journal, J Hypertens, earlier this month.

This position paper can be viewed here.

Patients who wish to take part in the trial must be aged 18-80, have high blood pressure and currently be taking between two and five antihypertensive drugs. Other inclusion and exclusion criteria apply.

Both public and private patients are eligible to take part and anyone interested should contact clinical research nurse, Hannah Wilson, at cvri@materprivate.ie.

This announcement comes ahead of a special GP webinar hosted by the Mater Private Network, entitled ‘Hypertension & Blood Pressure – A Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach to Patient Management’. This will take place on Monday, October 18. For more information or to register, email events@materprivate.ie.