Ultrasound Renal Denervation as an Alternative Tool for Resistant Hypertension1
Resistant hypertension, which is defined as uncontrolled high blood pressure in hypertensive patients despite the use of antihypertensive drugs, had long been a long-term public health concern. Endovascular ultrasound renal denervation is recently found to be a potential alternative technology for patients with resistant hypertension. In a trial, 146 patients with combined systolic-diastolic hypertension were randomised to perform renal denervation (n=74) or a sham procedure (n=72). Renal denervation with endovascular ultrasound achieved a greater reduction in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 2 months than the sham procedure. This blood pressure-lowering effect remained consistent for daytime ambulatory diastolic, 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure, home and office systolic and diastolic blood pressures. To better understand whether endovascular ultrasound renal denervation can be a tool against resistant hypertension, further investigations evaluating the durability and long-term clinical impact of renal denervation in patients with various forms of hypertension would be important.
References
1. Azizi M., et al. Lancet. 2018;391:2335-2345
