TCT26: Medtronic Symplicity blood pressure procedure shows significant blood pressure drops in SPYRAL AFFIRM real-world study
The FDA-approved labeling update adds clinical evidence for additional patient groups without changing the treatment indication.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Medtronic (MDT) reported six-month blood pressure reductions in the SPYRAL AFFIRM post-approval study of its Symplicity Spyral renal denervation system. The procedure treats nerves near the kidneys. Office systolic blood pressure fell 18.2 mmHg from baseline; home and 24-hour ambulatory readings fell 9.4 and 9.7 mmHg, respectively. All three reductions were statistically significant, with no increase in blood pressure medications. Nearly nine out of 10 patients experienced clinical benefit, while the composite safety endpoint occurred in 2.1%.
The prospective, single-arm study compared six-month U.S. results with a prespecified performance goal. Medtronic also received FDA approval for a labeling update adding clinical evidence for certain patient groups; the indication remains unchanged.
Positive
- Minor pointOffice systolic blood pressure decreased 18.2 ± 22.0 mmHg from baseline at six months (p<0.0001).
- Minor pointHome blood pressure decreased 9.4 ± 13.8 mmHg from baseline at six months (p<0.0001).
- Minor point24-hour ambulatory blood pressure decreased 9.7 ± 16.8 mmHg from baseline at six months (p<0.0001).
- Minor pointBlood pressure medication use remained unchanged from baseline through six months at 3.6 ± 2.0 medications.
- Minor pointNearly nine out of 10 patients experienced clinical benefit at six months.
3 minor points
- Minor pointA separate pooled analysis replicated the clinical benefit at three years.
- Minor pointSimilar blood pressure reductions occurred in women, Black American and Hispanic patients, and patients 65 and older.
- Minor pointFDA-approved labeling update adds evidence for isolated systolic hypertension, chronic kidney disease up to stage 3b, and type 2 diabetes.
Negative
- Minor pointThe composite safety endpoint occurred in 2.1% of patients.
- Minor pointSingle-arm study design compared six-month U.S. results with a prespecified performance goal, not a concurrent control group.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Nearly nine out of 10 patients experienced a clinical benefit at six months
Medtronic receives FDA approval for
GALWAY,
SPYRAL AFFIRM is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study designed with
At six months, the data showed:
- Patients treated with Symplicity Spyral had significant reductions in blood pressure compared with baseline:
- Office Systolic Blood Pressure (OSBP): -18.2 ± 22.0 mmHg (p<0.0001)
- Home blood pressure: -9.4 ± 13.8 mmHg (p<0.0001)
- 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABPM): -9.7 ± 16.8 mmHg (p<0.0001)
- Similar blood pressure reductions were demonstrated in women, Black American and Hispanic patients, and patients 65 and older
- There was no increase in antihypertensive medications through six months (3.6 ± 2.0 medications, unchanged from baseline).
- The composite safety endpoint occurred in
2.1% of patients - Nearly nine out of 10 patients experienced a clinical benefit at six months; a separate pooled analysis replicated this clinical benefit at three years.1
"The blood pressure reductions achieved with RDN in the AFFIRM study are transformative. In fact, they are within the range associated with a greater than
FDA approves Symplicity Spyral RDN system labeling update
Medtronic also announced it has received
"Generating robust clinical evidence across broad and diverse patient populations remains central to our mission of improving outcomes for people living with hypertension," said Lara Barghout, senior vice president and president of Interventional Cardiology Therapies at Medtronic. "Backed by data from SPYRAL AFFIRM and our broader clinical program, this labeling update gives physicians additional information to guide treatment decisions for patients living with hypertension and high cardiovascular risk."
Evidence from the SPYRAL HTN clinical program, including SPYRAL AFFIRM and the Global SYMPLICITY Registry DEFINE, supported the labeling update.
The Symplicity RDN system is approved for commercial use in more than 80 countries around the world.
About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
1 Kandzari et al, EuroIntervention. 2026;22:e1-e1 published online March 2026. DOI: 10.4244/EIJ-D-26-00161
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SOURCE Medtronic plc
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did Medtronic's SPYRAL AFFIRM study show at six months?
SPYRAL AFFIRM showed statistically significant blood pressure reductions from baseline at six months: 18.2 ± 22.0 mmHg for office systolic pressure, 9.4 ± 13.8 mmHg for home pressure, and 9.7 ± 16.8 mmHg for 24-hour ambulatory pressure. Each result had p<0.0001, and blood pressure medication use did not increase.
Which patient groups are covered by Medtronic's Symplicity Spyral labeling update?
The FDA-approved update adds clinical data for patients with isolated systolic hypertension, chronic kidney disease up to stage 3b (eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m²), and type 2 diabetes. The indication for use remains unchanged. Evidence from the SPYRAL HTN clinical program, including SPYRAL AFFIRM and the Global SYMPLICITY Registry DEFINE, supported the update.