Changes in blood pressure after catheter-based renal denervation in South Africa

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) is an interventional treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The Global SYMPLICITY Registry (GSR) is a prospective, all-comer, world-wide registry designed to assess the safety and efficacy of RDN. We evaluated the outcomes in South African patients in the GSR over 12 months. Methods: Eligible patients with hypertension had a daytime mean blood pressure (BP) > 135/85 mmHg or night-time mean BP > 120/70 mmHg. Office and 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP reduction and adverse events over 12 months were evaluated. Results: South African patients (n = 36) in the GSR had a mean age of 54.4 ± 9.9 years with a median of four prescribed antihypertensive medication classes. At 12 months, mean changes in office and 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP were –16.9 ± 24.2 and –15.3 ± 18.5 mmHg, respectively, with only one adverse event recorded. Conclusion: RDN safety and efficacy in South African patients were consistent with world-wide GSR results.