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Renal denervation for the treatment of hypertension: Making a new start, getting it right
Author(s) -
Weber Michael A.,
Kirtane Ajay,
Mauri Laura,
Townsend Raymond R.,
Kandzari David E.,
Leon Martin B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
catheterization and cardiovascular interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1522-726X
pISSN - 1522-1946
DOI - 10.1002/ccd.26028
Subject(s) - medicine , denervation , clinical trial , sympathetic nervous system , resistant hypertension , kidney , randomized controlled trial , renal sympathetic denervation , blood pressure , cardiology , urology
The renal nerves contribute to hypertension through effects in the kidney that enhance sodium retention and renin secretion, and by effects in the central nervous system that increase systemic sympathetic activity. Therefore, targeting the renal nerves provides a logical basis for treating hypertension. Several trials of renal denervation––achieved by applying radiofrequency energy through catheters placed in the renal arteries–– have been completed. Clinical results have been inconsistent, however, partly because of factors related to the ablation technique and partly because these studies have been performed in patients with the inadequately defined clinical condition of “treatment‐resistant hypertension.” This statement now explains our conclusion that future studies of renal denervation should be guided by the established randomized, controlled clinical trial designs used for studying antihypertensive drugs and other treatments for hypertension. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.