Renal Denervation: A Potential New Treatment for Severe Hypertension

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Drug-resistant hypertension remains common despite the availability of several classes of effective antihypertensive agents. Sympathetic hyperactivity has long been recognized as a major contributor to resistant hypertension, but radical sympathectomy was abandoned several decades ago due to its significant side effects. The newly developed, minimally invasive, catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation procedure has been shown in recent trials to produce impressive blood pressure reductions and a favorable safety profile in drug-resistant hypertension. Although the long-term efficacy and safety of renal denervation remains to be determined, emerging data suggest that the benefits of renal denervation may extend beyond blood pressure control. Dr. Cohen is the principal investigator for Symplicity 3 study funded by Medtronic; Dr. Huan is the subinvestigator for Symplicity 3 study funded by Medtronic.