Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
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Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is a novel treatment option in patients with treatment-resistant arterial hypertension. A subset of recently published randomized and non-randomized trials indicates that RDN leads to sustained lowering of blood pressure (BP) under controlled study conditions. However, registry data that allow evaluation of safety and efficacy in a real-world setting are largely missing. ⋯ RDN with the Symplicity™ system is safe and effective in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension also in a real-world setting.
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Comparative Study
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2): diagnostic and prognostic value in acute heart failure.
As a mediator of ECM homeostasis, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) appears to be involved in adverse structural remodeling processes in the heart. However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of CTGF levels in acute heart failure (AHF) in addition to natriuretic peptide testing has not yet been evaluated. ⋯ Additional CTGF measurements might lead to a better discrimination of higher functional and structural heart failure stages and might identify patients of an increased risk for an acute cardiac decompensation.