Mild refractory hypertension patients were defined as those with daytime systolic BP 135-149 and diastolic BP 90-94 mmHg in ambulatory monitoring. They were randomized to renal denervation (n = 35) versus control invasive procedure (n = 36). The primary end point was the change in systolic pressure of 24 hours ambulatory monitoring at 6 months. Symplicity Flex catheter (Medtronic) was used in the renal ablation group, making 4-6 runs circumferential ablation 2 minutes for each renal artery distal to proximal. The operators had at least 20 procedures experience to qualify for the study. The control group underwent renal artery angiography and sham procedure guided by acoustic signals and saline infusion. At 6 months, results indicated that the mean decrease in systolic blood pressure of 8.3 mmHg (p = 0.042) in the renal ablation group versus control group.
Steffen Desch
2014-09-17
Original title: A Prospective, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Patients with Refractory Hypertension.
