Influence of renal sympathetic denervation on the cardiac function of dogs with heart failure

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) on the cardiac function of dogs with heart failure. Methods: A total of 40 dogs were randomly assigned into RSDN group and control group (n=20 per group). In RSDN group, dogs received radiofrequency ablation of bilateral renal arteries; dogs in control group received femoral artery puncture alone. Pacemaker (VOO module) was implanted in 40 dogs, and rapid right ventricular pacing was introduced to establish heart failure model. The maximum left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), maximum left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), maximum systolic blood pressure rise rate (dp/dtmax), maximum diastolic blood pressure drop rate (-dp/dtmax), heart rate (HR), peripheral renin, norepinephrine, angiotensin II, aldosterone, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow were measured. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 17.0. Results: The peripheral renin, norepinephrine, angiotensin II, aldosterone, LVDP, LVESD and LVEDD in RSDN group were significantly lower than in control group, but the left ventricular ejection fraction, CI, CO, LVSP, dp/dtmax, and -dp/dtmax in RSDN group were markedly higher than in control group. Conclusion: In heart failure dogs, RSDN may inhibit the renal sympathetic activity and reduce systemic sympathetic activity, attenuate heart enlargement, mitigate reduced myocardial contractility, suppress the myocardial remodeling due to right ventricular pacing induced heart failure and improve the symptoms of heart failure and cardiac function.