[Renal denervation in the treatment of hypertension]

Therapy resistant hypertension is common in hypertensive patients. The kidneys play an important role in the sympathetic nervous system overactivity associated with hypertension. Percutaneous transluminal ablation of renal nerves is a novel treatment strategy for resistant hypertension decreasing both renal and systemic sympathetic activity. Renal denervation resulted in significant blood pressure reduction within 6 months in a multicentre, prospective, randomized trial. The treatment has proved safe and blood pressure reduction appears sustained up to 2 years. It also improves glycemic control. Further studies are needed to evaluate the mortality and morbidity impact of this promising therapy of resistant hypertension.