Renal denervation. Current developments

Renal denervation is a catheter-based, endovascular procedure for the treatment of drug-resistant hypertension. The aim of the therapy is to lower the blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg. Even after successful minimally invasive therapy patients usually continue to take three or more antihypertensive drugs. Currently there is no evidence that renal denervation is a good option for the treatment of well-controlled hypertension in order to dispense with antihypertensive drugs. In carefully selected patients the mean reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after renal denervation is 25-30 mmHg and 10-15 mmHg, respectively. Procedure-related or device-related complications are rare. Ablation catheters from different manufactures differ greatly in handling properties; however, up to now there is no evidence for relevant differences in safety and efficacy between the devices available.