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