April 25, 2013European Heart Journal237 citationsOpen Access
View Full PaperExpert consensus document from the European Society of Cardiology on catheter-based renal denervation
Structured PICO
Does catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of renal nerves reduce blood pressure in patients with drug-treated resistant hypertension?
P
Population
Patients with drug-treated resistant hypertension whose blood pressure cannot be controlled by a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacological therapy
I
Intervention
Catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of renal nerves (renal denervation)
O
Outcome
Blood pressure reduction and controlsurrogate
Catheter-based renal denervation is recommended as a therapeutic option for patients with resistant hypertension uncontrolled by standard lifestyle and pharmacological therapies.
Abstract
Current evidence from the available clinical trials strongly support the notion that catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of renal nerves reduces blood pressure and improves blood pressure control in patients with drug-treated resistant hypertension, with data now extending out to 36 months. Accordingly, renal denervation can be considered as a therapeutic option in patients with resistant hypertension, whose blood pressure cannot be controlled by a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacological therapy according to current guidelines. The fact that renal denervation also reduces whole-bodysympathetic nerve activity suggests that this therapy may also be beneficial in other clinical states characterized by sympathetic nervous system activation-this may ultimately lead to new indications. © The Author 2013.