Catheter-Based Renal Denervation for Resistant Arterial Hypertension: 10-Year Real-World Follow-Up Data

Abstract

This analysis of real-world data examines the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of renal denervation in hypertensive patients for up to 10 years. Sixty-five consecutive patients underwent renal denervation (RDN) (single operator) for uncontrolled resistant hypertension. Efficacy was defined as the interindividual change of office (OBPM) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) at 1, 6, 12 months, 2-4 and 5-10 years after RDN. Medication changes, renal function, and device generation disparities were analyzed. Of these patients, 42 received RDN with a first-generation device, while 23 underwent the procedure with a second-generation device. Baseline demographics included a predominantly male cohort (57.6%) with an average age of 60.3 years. The mean number of medications at baseline was 4.3. OBPM at baseline was 169.0/87.4 mmHg, and ABPM at baseline was 153.4/88.4 mmHg. Post-procedure, significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) were observed in both OBPM and ABPM at 1 month (OBPM 147.9/82.8 mmHg; ABPM 141.3/83.0 mmHg [SBP, p < 0.001]), sustained up to 10 years (OBPM 153.1/84.3 mmHg; ABPM 138/80.1 mmHg [SBP, p < 0.001]). After 1 year around half of patients had a controlled OBPM and 24 h ABPM < 135/85 mmHg, which was associated with a higher number of ablation spots (31.5±14.8 vs. 15.5 ± 6.5, p = 0.002) and occurred more often when treated with a second-generation device (2 [12.5%] vs. 7 [77.8%], p = 0.002). Renal function displayed a minor physiological decline over 5-10 years. No major complication occurred. Renal denervation demonstrated sustained significant reductions in systolic OBPM and ABPM up to 10 years post-procedure. Controlled blood pressure at 1 year was associated with a higher number of mean ablated spots and the use of a second-generation device. The procedure exhibited a favorable safety profile, indicating its viability in managing hypertension without significant renal function compromise.

Keywords: arterial hypertension; device‐based treatment; renal denervation; treatment.

FIGURE 1

Study flow chart. ABPM indicates ambulatory blood pressure measurement; FUP, follow‐up; OBPM, office blood pressure measurement; RDN, renal denervation.

FIGURE 2

Absolute blood pressures and blood pressure changes at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2–4 years, and 5–10 years after renal denervation. (A) Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results, (B) office blood pressure monitoring results, (C) ambulatory blood pressure monitoring average systolic blood pressure drop, and (D) office blood pressure monitoring average systolic blood pressure drop.