Renal Denervation Therapy: Indications and Success Factors

摘要

Arterial hypertension is a common and an increasing health care problem. In Germany and other Western countries, prevalence rates are as high as 50%. Of these, 13% of patients suffer from refractory hypertension, where the target blood pressure is not achievable with >3 antihypertensive substances. Renal denervation therapy (RDT) is a relatively new, catheterization-based intervention to treat patients with refractory hypertension. The rationale of RDT is the mechanical destruction with high frequency ablation of renal sympathetic fibers, which can be easily accessed via the renal artery. The first clinical trials evaluating effect and safety of the procedure have been promising, and RDT is being routinely used in specialized centers.