[Renal denervation: long-term Swiss experiences]

Despite great advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of patients with arterial hypertension, a significant proportion of patients do not reach the target values suggested by the guidelines. A therapy-resistant hypertension is defined as a blood pressure above the suggested target values despite an antihypertensive therapy with three medications at maximal dosis, including a diuretic. The renal denervation is a new and promising method for the treatment of refractory arterial hypertension. An optimal selection of the patients undergoing a renal denervation is extremely important, and this intervention should be performed in highly specialized centers only.