Renal Denervation

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite treatment recommendations, including lifestyle changes and use of combination drug treatment, a consistent fraction of hypertensive patients fails to achieve adequate blood pressure targets recommended by current guidelines. In order to improve blood pressure control and to reduce cardiovascular events, renal artery denervation has been proposed as a non-pharmacological approach. Studies conducted over the years have initially produced conflicting results on the use of renal denervation and its application in routine antihypertensive treatment remains debated. However, recent trials using different devices have shown promising results in the treatment of patients with hypertension. Although long-term results are still needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the procedure, renal denervation regarded as an useful approach in the treatment of selected patients with hypertension, including resistant and difficult-to-control hypertension.