Influence of renal sympathetic denervation on quality of life

Therapy-resistant arterial hypertension causing psychosocial stress and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on quality of life (QoL) in patients with resistant hypertension undergoing renal sympathetic denervation (RSD).

We analyzed responses to the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire provided by patients with resistant arterial hypertension after RSD. Thirty consecutive patients from 2 centers were included in this study, from October 2011 until February 2012. The phone interview was performed after the 3-month follow-up. A significant reduction (26 ± 13.5 mmHg) in systolic blood pressure (BP) was detected at the 3-month follow-up (142.0 ± 15.1 mmHg vs 168.0 ± 13.7 mmHg; P < 0.001). Seventy-five percent of the patients indicated that their health situation was a lot better (better, 21%; equal to, 4%) 3 months after RSD compared to the time before the therapeutic procedure. Furthermore, the majority of patients felt full of pep (always, 29%; mostly, 58%; quite often, 8%; sometimes, 4%), and full of energy (always, 25%; mostly, 54%; quite often, 16.7%; sometimes, 4.2%) after the procedure. Recipients of RSD indicated that they felt more light and healthy, and nearly all recipients (93%) described a loss of anxiety and indisposition.

This investigation revealed that sufficient BP reduction by RSD and time following therapeutic success lead to significant improvements in patient QoL.