Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal denervation has proven its efficacy to lower blood pressure in comparison to sham treatment in recent randomized clinical trials. Although there is a large body of evidence for the durability and safety of radiofrequency-based renal denervation, there are a paucity of data for endovascular ultrasound-based renal denervation (uRDN). We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of uRDN in a single-center cohort of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Data from 2 previous studies on uRDN were pooled. Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure measurements were taken before as well as 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment with uRDN. A total of 130 patients (mean age 63±9 years, 24% women) underwent uRDN. After 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, systolic mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure values were reduced by 10±12, 10±14, 8±15, and 10±15 mm Hg, respectively, when compared with baseline (P<0.001). Corresponding diastolic values were reduced by 6±8, 6±8, 5±9, and 6±9 mm Hg, respectively (P<0.001). Periprocedural adverse events occurred in 16 patients, and all recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS In this single-center study, uRDN effectively lowered blood pressure up to 24 months after treatment.