Can you help to source renal artery RF ablation therapy equipment?
Published date : 24 March 2011
Article date : 24 March 2011
Can you help to source renal artery RF ablation therapy equipment? Senior radiographer and Which Medical Device user warkworth16 has asked for assistance in sourcing the equipment to perform renal sympathetic nerve ablation therapy to treat his wife who suffers from severe refractory hypertension:
"I am currently employed as a Lead Senior Radiographer at a major North East Hospital.
“My wife is suffering from severe refractory hypertension, despite excellent compliance with several anti-hypertensive agents her blood pressure is typically 280/140 mmHg, with a resting tachycardia of around 140 bpm. She has a severely dilated left ventricle, with globally impaired left ventricular systolic function, and has nephritic range proteinuria.
“We were made aware of the renal sympathetic nerve ablation therapy, but she has been turned down for this procedure at Barts. Due to difficulties establishing the renal ablation service, and the option of Harley Street treatment would not be funded by her PCT.
“The hospital I am employed in has a large interventional unit, and despite several of my Consultant colleagues being keen to carry out this procedure, the equipment required cannot be sourced.”
“There has been a significant deterioration in my wife’s condition in the last few months, and as this ablation therapy is the only chance she has of any improvements in her health, I would appreciate any help that can be given in sourcing the equipment necessary to allow interventional colleagues to carry out this procedure.
“Thank you in advance for any assistance that can be offered.”
Update - 17 May 2011
We are please to report that following a campaign by WMD and local Interventional Radiologists we managed to source treatment in London for the patient with refractory hypertension (link to warkorths comment). The patient was treated with Ardian/Medtronics symplicity catheter system for renal RF denervation. Since then her BP has decreased by 40mm Hg systolic and diastolic, tachycardia decreased and her excercise tolerance has increased from a few yards to 1.5 miles. Thank you to everyone who helped with this.
