September 25, 2007 - Abbott enrolled the first patient in HERCULES (Herculink Elite Cobalt Chromium Renal Stent Trial to Demonstrate Efficacy and Safety), a U.S. clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the investigational RX Herculink Elite Renal Stent System to treat patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS).
The trial aims to treat renal artery obstructions and lower blood pressure in patients not responding to medication. The first implant was performed by Joaquin Martinez de Arraras, M.D., FACC,president of Amarillo Heart Clinical Research Institute, Inc. in Amarillo, TX.
“Many patients with high blood pressure and renal artery stenosis do not respond as well to medication alone as they may to medication plus stenting,” said Dr. Martinez de Arraras. “The goal of the HERCULES trial is to evaluate whether renal artery stenting may reduce vessel renarrowing, thereby potentially reducing other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure.”
To qualify for the HERCULES study, patients must have uncontrolled hypertension that is not responding to treatment with at least two blood pressure medicationsand must have at least 60 percent stenosis or blockage in a renal artery as measured by visual X-ray angiography.
For more information: www.abbott.com
April 17, 2024 
