Barts Health NHS Trust
9 Prescot Street
London E1 8PR
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk
For more information contact: Heidi Mulhall 020 7709 6509
Email: Heidi.mulhall@bartshealth.nhs.uk
For immediate release
Barts Health to trial “life changing” one-hour treatment to lower blood pressure
Local people suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure are being invited to take up an
exciting new treatment using ultrasound-based energy, being trialled for the first time in
London at St Bartholomew’s Hospital this summer.
The one-hour treatment is an exciting and innovative opportunity for the estimated 4%1 of
adults in London living with resistant hypertension - a severe form of high blood pressure that
cannot be controlled with drug therapy, putting them at constant risk of suffering a stroke or
severe heart problems.
The treatment is the subject of a randomised clinical trial known as WAVE IV. In previous
trials of the therapy, three quarters of treated patients experienced a meaningful reduction in
their blood pressure following the one-time, one-hour therapy.
Now, people in east London are being given the chance to sign up to the randomised trial
being run by Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust.
Patients may be eligible to participate in the WAVE IV clinical study if:
 They are aged between 18 years of age and 90 years of age.
 Their systolic blood pressure (top number) is greater than 160 mmHg.
 They are currently taking three or more prescription medications for high blood pressure.
People who wish to find out more and assess their suitability for the trial can contact Anne
Zak at the William Harvey Heart Centre Clinical Trials Unit on 0207 882 5657.
People with hypertension may have overactive renal (kidney) nerves, a condition that raises
blood pressure and contributes to heart, kidney and blood vessel damage. The Surround
Sound® Hypertension Therapy System uses a technique called renal denervation (RDN) to
treat the hyperactive renal nerves. It is hoped that this will reduce the kidney’s production of
hormones and prevent an increase in blood pressure, while also protecting the heart, kidneys
and blood vessels from further damage.
4% of people aged over 16 in London have uncontrolled hypertension out of a total 28% of
the total adult population with hypertension – according to the Health Survey of England,
2011, The Health and Social Care Information Centre.
1
Surround Sound® hypertension therapy is the only non-invasive treatment for resistant
hypertension of its type. Other similar treatments, known as renal denervation, rely on a
catheter inserted inside the body emitting energy to target the nerves around the artery
leading to the kidney, while the Surround Sound® system instead delivers ultrasound energy
to these renal nerves from outside the body without any cutting, incisions or need for hospital
admission.
This very precisely targeted energy “surrounds” the artery and treats the nerves located
around the vessel.
Dr Melvin Lobo is leading the study at Queen Mary University of London and will offer the
new procedure to patients at Barts Health NHS Trust as Director of the Barts Blood Pressure
Clinic.
Dr Lobo explained: “High blood pressure remains a serious public health issue and new
treatments are urgently needed. Although drug treatment works well for most patients, a
number of patients do not respond well and need alternative approaches.
“The procedure we’re trialling is a hugely exciting and entirely unique concept. We believe
this non-invasive ultrasound treatment is a promising new approach that deserves further
study in controlled clinical trials, where the safety of patients is of paramount importance. We
believe targeting the kidney nerves will prove to be an important way of managing high blood
pressure in the future for some patients. Right now, we are limiting our studies to those with
severe high blood pressure who stand to benefit most by reducing their risk of stroke, heart
attack and kidney failure.”
Resistant hypertension is a severe type of high blood pressure and is defined by a lack of
response to three or more drugs. Patients with resistant hypertension may or may not have
symptoms and have a significantly increased risk of dying of cardiovascular disease or
stroke.
Adrian Brady, Consultant Cardiologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, President Elect of the
British Hypertension Society, adds: "Surround Sound® therapy may turn out to be a major
development in the treatment of patients with resistant hypertension."
- Ends –
Notes to Editors
Dr Mel Lobo is available for interview by phone, and in studios all day on Monday 13 July or
in the morning on Tuesday 14 July.
About Kona Surround Sound®: non-invasive therapy for treatment of hypertension
Kona Medical has developed an ultrasound-based platform that enables non-invasive
imaging, targeting, tracking, and treatment of soft tissue structures throughout the body
without radiation and without the cost or complexity of MR and other technologies. The first
clinical application of Kona Surround Sound® addresses severe high blood pressure
(hypertension) through non-invasive treatment and relaxation of the renal nerves. The Kona
Surround Sound® system is investigational and is not yet approved for sale.
For information about WAVE IV visit http://www.konamedical.com/candidate/
For more information:
Heidi Mulhall, Press and Social Media Officer at Barts Health NHS Trust
020 7709 6509 / Heidi.Mulhall@bartshealth.nhs.uk
Barts Health NHS Trust
With a turnover of £1.1 billion and a workforce of 14,000, Barts Health is the largest NHS
trust in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers. The Trust’s five
hospitals – St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City, including the Barts Heart Centre, The
Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Newham University Hospital in Plaistow, Whipps
Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone and Mile End – deliver high quality compassionate
care to the 2.5 million people of East London and beyond.