New therapeutic approaches for resistant hypertension

In the past few years, 2 new procedures have been developed for the treatment of resistant hypertension: electrical stimulation of carotid baroreceptors and catheter-based renal denervation. Both of these procedures have a solid pathophysiological background, which is based on the evidence that carotid baroreceptors and renal nerves are involved in the pathogenesis of different forms of experimental hypertension, potentiating sympathetic cardiovascular influence and thus promoting the development and progression of elevated blood pressure values. This paper will review the results of the clinical trials performed so far making use of each of the 2 above-mentioned approaches. The pros and cons of each intervention as well as the questions that remain to be addressed in the future will also be discussed.