A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the long-term safety and efficacy of ultrasound renal sympathetic denervation (uRDN) for managing resistant hypertension, with results from the ACHIEVE study showing sustained blood pressure (BP) reduction and decreased reliance on medication over eight years.
The prospective study followed 27 patients from an original cohort of 96 who underwent uRDN. These patients had resistant hypertension, defined as office systolic BP of at least 160 mmHg, 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP of 130 mmHg or higher, and were on at least three antihypertensive medications. At the start of the study, participants had an average 24-hour BP of 151.9/84.1 mmHg and a median of five daily doses of antihypertensive drugs.
Eight years after the procedure, the results revealed a significant drop in 24-hour systolic BP, averaging a reduction of 19.5 mmHg. In parallel, the number of antihypertensive medications required by patients decreased by 1.7 defined daily doses (DDD). Importantly, no procedure-related adverse events were observed, and only one case of renal failure was reported, with no occurrences of renal artery stenosis.
The findings suggest that uRDN offers a safe, long-lasting solution for managing resistant hypertension, reducing both BP and the burden of medications. The study also noted a modest decline in kidney function over time, which was within expected limits for the patient population.
These results underscore the potential of uRDN as a durable, minimally invasive option for patients struggling with resistant hypertension, offering hope for better long-term control of the condition.
Reference
Zeijen VJM et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of endovascular ultrasound renal denervation in resistant hypertension: 8-year results from the ACHIEVE study. Clin Res Cardiol. 2024;DOI:10.1007/s00392-024-02555-7.
