First-in-man radial access renal denervation with the ReCor Radiance™ catheter

Renal denervation is a potential new treatment therapy for resistant hypertension. However, anatomic vascular variations might complicate the procedure and increase complications. A radial approach offers easier renal artery access and is associated with a decreased risk of vascular access complications.

We describe the first-in-man use of a radial access ultrasound-based renal denervation device (Radiance™; ReCor, Palo Alto, CA, USA) in two patients with therapy-resistant hypertension. Both procedures were uneventful and resulted in significant blood pressure reductions at three-month follow-up (mean office blood pressure drop [-40/-29 mmHg]; mean ambulatory blood pressure drop [-11/-8 mmHg]).

Radial access renal artery denervation using the Radiance catheter appears to be safe and effective and should be considered an alternative option in patients referred for renal denervation.