ESC guidelines on the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension include recommendations on the use of renal denervation to treat various forms of hypertension.
Due to lack of evidence regarding cardiovascular outcomes benefit, the guidelines do not recommend this medical procedure as first line treatment, and nor is it recommended for patients with highly impaired renal function, (eGFR <40 mL/min/1.73 m2) or secondary causes of hypertension.
On renal denervation, the guidelines say: “To reduce blood pressure, and if performed at a medium-to-high volume centre, catheter-based renal denervation may be considered for patients with resistant hypertension who have blood pressure that is uncontrolled despite a three blood pressure-lowering drug combination (including a thiazide or thiazide-like diuretic), and who express a preference to undergo renal denervation after a shared risk-benefit discussion and multidisciplinary assessment.”
Rhian Touyz (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), a member of the guideline writing committee, said: “These evidence-based recommendations provide guidance for clinicians and their patients on the use of this important new technology. However, it must be stressed that this procedure needs to be undertaken in a centre where there is expertise and experience.”
