Effects of renal denervation on blood pressures in patients with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials

The efficacy of renal denervation has been controversial, but recent randomized sham-controlled trials demonstrated significant blood pressure reductions after renal denervation in patients with hypertension. We conducted a systematic review and updated meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of renal denervation on ambulatory and office blood pressures in patients with hypertension. Databases were searched up to 25 May 2021 to identify randomized, sham-controlled trials of renal denervation. The primary endpoint was change in 24 h ambulatory systolic blood pressure with renal denervation versus sham control. The secondary endpoints were daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure, and office systolic blood pressure. A sub-analysis determined outcomes by medication, procedure, and device. From nine trials, 1555 patients with hypertension were randomized to undergo renal denervation (n = 885) or a sham procedure (n = 670). At 2–6 months after treatment, renal denervation significantly reduced 24 h ambulatory systolic blood pressure by 3.31 mmHg (95% confidence interval: −4.69, −1.94) compared with the sham procedure (p < 0.001). Renal denervation also reduced daytime SBP by 3.53 mmHg (−5.28, −1.78; p < 0.001), nighttime SBP by 3.20 mmHg (−5.46, −0.94; p = 0.006), and office SBP by 5.25 mmHg (−7.09, −3.40; p < 0.001) versus the sham control group. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of blood pressure reduction between first- and second-generation trials, between devices, or with or without medication. These data from randomized sham-controlled trials showed that renal denervation significantly reduced all blood pressure metrics in medicated or unmedicated patients with hypertension, including resistant/uncontrolled hypertension. Future trials should investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of renal denervation.