A groundbreaking new treatment known as TTT is poised to transform the management of primary aldosteronism, a condition responsible for one in 20 cases of high blood pressure. Developed by a team of experts from Queen Mary University of London, Barts, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge University, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, TTT employs heat to target and destroy nodules on the adrenal glands that produce excess aldosterone.
This innovative procedure takes merely 20 minutes and is performed under sedation, allowing patients the convenience of returning home the same day. A trial involving 28 patients, detailed in The Lancet, has provided essential "proof of principle" for the treatment's effectiveness. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure and a notable decrease in aldosterone production by the adrenal glands.
Four participants in the trial successfully ceased all medication following TTT, while another 12 experienced substantial improvement in blood pressure or were able to halve their medication intake. Notably, the treatment halted excessive aldosterone production in three-quarters of the participants.
“We have known about primary aldosteronism for 70 years but nothing has changed in how we manage it for 30 years. And now we are able to get away from cutting out an entire organ for the sake of a fingernail-sized nodule and hugely improve the lives of people who have high blood pressure for this particular reason.” – Prof Morris Brown
TTT presents a viable alternative to traditional surgical interventions for primary aldosteronism, which typically require removal of an adrenal gland, a process that lasts between one and a half to two hours, involves general anaesthesia, and necessitates a hospital stay of two to three nights. The streamlined nature of TTT contrasts sharply with these requirements, providing a less invasive treatment option.
Moreover, a further trial is currently underway with 110 patients to further evaluate the efficacy of TTT. This procedure holds the potential to revolutionize treatment for approximately half a million people in the UK who suffer from dangerously high blood pressure. Often referred to as the "silent killer," high blood pressure leads to tens of thousands of fatalities each year due to its role in causing strokes, heart attacks, and heart arrhythmias.
“High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually presents no noticeable symptoms yet significantly increases the risk of serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.” – Prof Morris Brown
“This procedure could potentially transform life for one in 20 people with high blood pressure by reducing their risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart arrhythmias. They feel better, they have more energy, they are less depressed and they achieve a normal blood pressure without having to take medication every day or having surgery.” – Prof Morris Brown
The promising results from the initial trial indicate that TTT could significantly enhance patient outcomes by alleviating high blood pressure symptoms without requiring daily medication or invasive surgery. As research continues to unfold, the medical community remains hopeful that TTT will become a standard treatment option for those afflicted by primary aldosteronism.