Renal Denervation: Is It Ready for Prime Time?

Abstract

Purpose of review: Interventional cardiology and in particular the field of renal denervation is subject to constant change. This review provides an up to date overview of renal denervation trials and an outlook on what to expect in the future.

Recent findings: After the sham-controlled SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial dampened the euphoria following early renal denervation trials, the recently published results of the sham-controlled SPYRAL HTN and RADIANCE HTN trials provided proof-of-principle for the blood pressure-lowering efficacy of renal denervation. However, these studies underline the major issue of patients' non-adherence to antihypertensive medication as well as the need for reliable patient- and procedure-related predictors of response. The second generation of sham-controlled renal denervation trials provided proof of principle for the blood pressure-lowering efficacy of RDN. However, larger trials have to assess long-term safety and efficacy.

Keywords: Device-based therapy; Hypertension; Interventional cardiology; Renal denervation.