The statistics speak for themselves - one in four of us will have a stroke. Stroke is a major cause of disability and is the third leading cause of death worldwide.
Yet the poor outcomes experienced by many people who experience a stroke have been dramatically improved by advances in medical technology.
“Much of our recent success in reducing death and disability in Ireland has been aided by technology,” says Professor Rónán Collins, consultant in geriatric and stroke medicine at Tallaght University Hospital. “When I started in stroke medicine our mortality rate was almost 20 per cent. Today it is under 10 per cent.”
While new treatments and enhanced organisation of services have contributed to this, it is advances in medical technology that have significantly improved both prevention and management, notes the professor.
Preventing a stroke from occurring is the ultimate goal, however, he adds. “New preventative therapies like modern anticoagulation, targeted lipid lowering therapy, and procedures like renal denervation are transforming stroke prevention.”
The Medtronic Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system offers a one-time intervention; the procedure uses a catheter and generator that supplies precisely controlled radiofrequency energy to renal nerves - significantly reducing blood pressure in people with uncontrolled hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke.
“Recognising hypertension as a silent condition needs increased utility of personalised home monitoring and detection,” the professor says. “New technology-driven medical procedures like renal denervation are valuable developments in managing difficult cases.” The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure, which can lower serious health risks.
High blood pressure is a significant problem for patients globally including those who have suffered from a stroke. For people with hypertension, medication and/or lifestyle changes can help reduce blood pressure, but studies have shown that many people are still non-adherent to their hypertension medication regimen. The Symplicity blood pressure procedure can provide patients with a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant – it can also help patients regain their peace of mind
New strategies to identify and reduce stroke risk and improve management of acute stroke are necessary. Since the reliance on the traditional concept of hypertension management, which is solely based on lifestyle interventions and antihypertensive drugs, has failed many patients, significant revision in this thinking is required. There is an enormous potential to improve patient care, disease burden, and financial consequences of high blood pressure by implementing novel treatment strategies, including renal denervation. This procedure is welcomed as an additive treatment option in adult patients with uncontrolled hypertension
“As these technologies continue to evolve, they offer hope for more effective stroke management and better quality of life for survivors,” Prof Collins says.
