Treatment of hypertension abroad

Treatment of hypertension: Renal denervation

Hypertension (high BP) is a common condition that affects about 1.28 billion adults worldwide. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and myocardial infarction.

Indications and treatment goals

In Europe, hypertension is defined as a systolic BP (CAD) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. The goal of treatment is to reduce CAD <140/90 mm Hg and, if treatment is well tolerated, to <130/80 mm Hg. Each 10 mm Hg decrease in CAD reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by 20%.

Renal denervation

Renal denervation is an additional treatment option for hypertension. It is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the nerves surrounding the renal artery. Radiofrequency (RF) renal denervation disrupts excessive sympathetic signaling between the kidneys and the brain, which helps lower BP.

Efficacy and safety

Clinical trials confirm the safety and efficacy of RF renal denervation for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension. The procedure has demonstrated sustained BP reduction up to 3 years in more than 2000 patients and up to 9 years in independent studies.

Support of professional societies

The European Society of Hypertension and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) support renal denervation as an evidence-based treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.