FDA approves Medtronic high blood pressure device despite a negative advisory panel vote

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Medtronic device to lower blood pressure, the company announced Friday evening. The decision comes after an advisory panel narrowly voted against the device in August.

The FDA approved a similar product, part of a device class called renal denervation, from startup Recor Medical earlier this month.

“Medtronic has always believed in the potential of this therapy,” Jason Weidman, renal denervation head at Medtronic, said in a statement. “We partnered closely with leading experts in our clinical community who could help us in our journey to get this technology to the people who need it most.”